New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome picked up his game after the hiring of Doug Weight, but it wasn’t enough.
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6-1, 199 lbs
Scouting Report: Talented playmaker with unfavorable build
Stats: 69 GP, 13 G, 17 A, 30 PTS, -8 +/-, 40 PIM
His inconsistency in both zones has made him the subject of contentious debate; some argue that he’s useless, while others believe that his upside is worth talking about.
Here’s what we know: Strome, 23, has below-average physical strength and a tendency to disappear for long stretches of time. That being said, he’s a skilled passer with great vision and dangling ability.
Strome’s 2016-17 campaign was a roller-coaster: He was benched mid-game and scratched repeatedly, but he picked his s— up after Jack Capuano’s firing and Doug Weight’s subsequent hiring.
Said the Isles’ head coach, via Gershon Rabinowitz of NY Sports Day: “He is engaging and cognizant defensively. I told him I needed better plays at certain times and he’s done that. He’s not skiing out there and is shooting the puck well. He is producing and starting to get good results.”
Best Moment:
Strome dropped Jussi Jokinen in a fight after the Panthers’ forward gave an extra shove to Isles captain John Tavares:
Of Note:
In late November, Capuano benched Strome for two straight games, which confounded the former 5th overall pick: “It doesn’t really matter what I think . . . I’ve either got to play better or find a way to make them more happy, I guess,” he said.
On the Contrary:
North Dakota Red Eagle of Lighthouse Hockey argued that Strome is perhaps the Islanders’ second most talented forward at 5v5, behind Tavares.
Talk about Streaky:
Check out this tweet from Kevib Dexter:
Future Outlook:
Strome was inked to a two-year, $5 million contract extension in September 2016. His Islanders future is uncertain, however, as the looming expansion draft could land him in Las Vegas.