The Washington Capitals are heading into one of their most intense offseasons in years. With $33 million in cap space and multiple draft picks, the team might overhaul a roster that missed the playoffs this season.

The Capitals face a pivotal decision regarding center Dylan Strome, who has been a cornerstone over the last four years.

The speculation was addressed by NHL insider David Pagnotta. While speaking on DFO Rundown, Pagnotta discussed the Capitals' recent roster shifts.

"Some people are curious to see Ilya Protas, if he's coming up," he stated. 

According to Pagnotta, the young center's rise could raise questions about the squad players. He proceeded to highlight rumors surrounding Dylan Stromes' longevity.

"There were some people who were curious about the longevity of Dylan Strome there," Pagnotta said. 

Strome, who turned 29 this last March, is signed through to the 2027-28 season at a $5 million cap hit. 

"They (Capitals) want to remain competitive, they want to get back into playoff contention," he stated. "But they're also letting some of their younger guys eat more minutes and get more action."

Notably, some teams are already interested in the trade. The Utah Mammoth, Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, and Los Angeles Kings are supposedly keen on trading for Strome.

Strome's Production, Washington's Depth, and Squad Competition

Since arriving in Washington, Dylan Strome has been one of the most productive players in the league. His best season was in 2024-25, when he posted 82 points ( 29 goals and 53 assists).

But his 2025-26 season was a step back, as he finished with 58 points, 19 goals, and 39 assists in 80 games. This marked his worst tally across the four years with the Capitals.

And the dip was noticeable across the team. Despite starting nearly 75 percent of his shifts with offense, Strome only posted 29 five-on-five points.

Furthermore, his linemates made below 50 percent of shot attempts, expected goals, scoring chances, and high-danger chances at five-on-five. For a center given that level of freedom, those results really fell short of expectations.

Simultaneously, Washington's roster is undergoing changes. 19-year-old Ilya Protas has played four times for the team and could start on a full-time basis. Furthermore, his brother Aliaksei is already established in the lineup.

Strome's value, however, extends beyond numbers. He is known for having a strong locker room presence, and his $5 million cap hit is still reasonable for his potential. With captain Ovechkin's future in question, the Capitals might want to retain some experience with Strome.

On the flipside, he has been consistently placed in the center alongside Ovechkin. And if the Russian intends to continue with the team, breaking that connection may prove to be an issue.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla