THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'A': Connor Carrick Part 2, Galchenyuk and Raty Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1NjI0MDMwNzc3MTI0MjM3/usatsi_19645836.jpg] It appears Dylan Strome is staying in the nation's capital for the foreseeable future. The Washington Capitals kicked off their all-star break with some sizable news on Friday, announcing the club came to terms with Strome on a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5 million. The details of the deal, which now ties Strome to Washington through the 2027-28 season, such as its salary structure or the inclusion of any trade protection, have yet to be determined. It's easy to see why the Capitals would want to keep Strome in the family long-term. After the Blackhawks declined to qualify him at the end of last season, Strome signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Capitals in the hopes of demonstrating his value. Through 52 games this season, the 25-year-old has done precisely that, slotting into Washington's top six with ease and racking up an impressive 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points while logging nearly 17 minutes in average nightly ice time. For a Capitals team set to have six forwards and all seven active NHL defensemen hit free agency this summer, making sure Strome is kept in the fold for the next half-decade is a tidy piece of business for the club as they seek to surround Alexander Ovechkin with enough talent for one last run. Strome is also the youngest of Washington's NHL forwards at the moment, giving them a needed dose of youth as their veteran core continues to age. All in all, a very nice piece of business for a team that needs one.
