Strome Credits Backstrom As He Thrives In Role As Ovechkin's Center: 'Lots To Learn From Him'

The Capitals center has assisted on all 10 of Ovechkin's goals to open this season.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — No one can replace Nicklas Backstrom for the Washington Capitals, but Dylan Strome's coming pretty close.

The 27-year-old has taken over as Alex Ovechkin's center and has assisted on all 10 of Ovechkin's goals to open the 2024-25 season as No. 8 gets closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.

"You can't control those things, just try to help the team win and help get him there and do what you can to get him to that position where hopefully has a chance to break the record," Strome said of assisting on Ovechkin's goals. "Hockey's a pretty random game, and could be anyone that gets an assist on that goal or the tying goal or the goal after or 900 — there's lots of important ones. Whatever it may be, try to do my best to help him get there and help the team win games at the same time. So far, it's been going well."

Strome also credited Backstrom for his support as he's found a home in D.C. over the last two and a half seasons. The two play golf together, and have had "a little bit" of discussion here and there about being Ovechkin's center.

"He was always very supportive, very kind to me... I've heard 1,000 stories about how great of a teammate he is and I got to witness that firsthand and how good he was for the Caps and for this team and as Ovi's center," Strome said. "Obviously everyone watched Ovi's goals growing up and he assisted on the most of anyone. So lots to learn from that."