One of the more interesting prospects in the entire NHL is Dylan Strome. Selected third overall in 2015 just behind Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, Strome had almost everything you wanted out of a prospect. A big body, soft hands, elite hockey IQ, offensive creativity, responsible defensively; he was a stud. In the junior ranks, Strome put up 129 and 111 points in his 18 and 19-year old seasons, before getting a chance in the NHL early last season. In seven games with the Arizona Coyotes, Strome recorded just a single assist and his biggest flaw, skating ability, was exposed.
That flaw isn’t likely a career-crippling one, as Strome has made strides to improve over the last few years and showed once again after heading back to the junior ranks that he could be a dominant offensive force. It was hoped that he could make the jump to the NHL this year and remain there, but that just hasn’t happened. Instead, he’s spent most of the season in the minor leagues with the Tucson Roadrunners, where he’s been named player of the month and generally shown his talents on a nightly basis. With 50 points in 47 games he’s one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the minor leagues, and is ready to try again at the highest level. The Coyotes agree, and according to Craig Morgan of AZSports will recall Strome—along with Trevor Murphy—for their upcoming road trip.
If the Coyotes are to find success in the coming years, Strome is going to have to produce at the NHL level. The players selected just after him in the 2015 draft—Mitch Marner, Noah Hanifin among them—have already settled into roles on their teams as top contributors. Strome has to do the same, and it needs to start soon. Now 21-years old, the center has just two points in 18 career games but could change the league’s perspective in just a few contests down the road. If he can show off those elite offensive talents that made him the third-overall pick, and help Arizona take a few more strides forward—if for no reason other than pride—he can head into the summer with the confidence that he’ll be a full-time player in 2018-19.
Murphy, 22, is looking to make any sort of impact at the NHL level after spending the last few years in the minor leagues. The undrafted defenseman will be filling in for Jason Demers, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an upper-body injury. Murphy was acquired from the Nashville Predators on deadline day in a minor league deal, but is a puck-moving defenseman that has powerplay experience. Where he’ll fit in on Arizona’s blue line is unclear, but with Demers out for the next few weeks there will be plenty of minutes to go around.