Report: Dylan Strome not expected to get QO from Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Strome is expected to test the free-agent market. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dylan Strome not expected to receive qualifying offer from Blackhawks

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/7/22

The Blackhawks' rebuild is seemingly underway as they look to shed expensive pieces and trade assets for future ones.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Blackhawks don't plan to give center Dylan Strome a qualifying offer before the July 11 deadline.

In CHI-related news, not overly surprising, but it doesn’t sound as if the Hawks will be qualifying centre Dylan Strome. Expectation is he will be going to UFA on July 13. July 11 is deadline to issue Qualifying Offer but no reason to believe that will happen here. #outsider https://t.co/wIIbOd82Qd
— Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 7, 2022

Strome is expected to test the free-agent market on July 13.

As McKenzie stated, the move doesn't come as a surprise given the Blackhawks' position this offseason.

The Blackhawks finished 28-42-12 last season, seventh in the Western Conference's Central Division. Only the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Arizona Coyotes and Montreal Canadians finished with a worse record than the Blackhawks in the NHL last season.

Strome played 69 games for the Blackhawks in 2021-22, finishing with a career-high 22 goals. His 48 points were his highest output since the 2018-19 season when he finished with 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists.)

Originally the third overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Strome was traded by the Coyotes along with Brendan Perlini to the Blackhawks in exchange for Nick Schmaltz in 2018.

In four seasons with the Blackhawks, Strome played 225 games, compiling 154 points (60 goals, 94 assists.) Strome played nine playoff games for the Blackhawks in 2020, posting two goals and assists.

The 25-year-old seems primed to hit the open market, where he's expected to receive plenty of interest.

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