Strome a Positive in a Rangers Season of Struggles

When Ryan Strome was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Rangers in November, the move did not make much of an impact around the NHL. The trade, which saw the Rangers give up Ryan Spooner, appeared to be a wash. The only real impact it looked like it could have was to send a warning shot to the players on the rebuilding Blueshirts: if you don’t produce or fit with the team; no matter veteran or new face, there will be a consequence. But what a difference a few months makes.

The move ultimately had no impact on the Rangers’ standing in the 2018-19 season; the team is currently 28-32-13 with 69 points and set to be officially eliminated from playoff contention. The rebuild continued with veteran talents Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes being sent away in the hopes of drafting and finding young talent to develop and turn into potential champions. That was the point of this season: to get younger, to develop and see who fits the mold. And that’s what the Strome trade was all about.

Some say that a change of scenery can help an athlete re-find themselves, and that appears to be the case here with Strome. He struggled to find his footing and fit while a member of the New York Islanders and the Oilers, but things seemed to have changed for the better with the Rangers. It’s crazy to think he can turn around and suddenly live up to all of his potential from when he was drafted by fifth overall by the Islanders in 2011. But with his play, current contract and how he’s produced, there’s no reason to think trading for him was an underrated move by the Rangers.

Rangers Won Trade; Strome the Real Winner

When Strome first came into the NHL, there was hope he could produce a lot of points for whomever he played for. He was a terrific scorer in Canada while playing for the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Toronto Marlboros, the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs and the country’s World Juniors team in 2012 and 2013.

His success followed him into the AHL in 2013-14, his first full season with the Islanders organization, when he totaled 33 points in 23 games — leading the AHL at the time — before getting called up to join the Isles. He went on to score 18 points in 37 games before playing in all but one of the Islanders’ games the next season and hitting the 50-point mark by scoring 17 goals with 33 assists.

Strome may not make it back to the playing level of his 2011 draft stock or his 50-point season with the Islanders, but this isn’t about calling him the best or a need. In a season focused on rebuilding and growing pains, it’s always nice to see a pleasant surprise and something that works out in the team’s favor. And Strome has been that this season.