Dylan Strome wants to be ready to help the Arizona Coyotes win

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel knew where they were going. Everyone watching the 2015 NHL Draft knew they were going to be the first and second picks, earning the titles of “generational players”.

Dylan Strome, the third pick, was not in the same boat.

“They didn’t show their cards” Strome said on the Burns and Gambo Show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM about the Arizona Coyotes. “They didn’t tell me anything, they didn’t tell my agents anything so for me it was pretty up in the air.”

The center who led the OHL in scoring with 129 points last season knew the Coyotes liked him. Still, he wasn’t sure they were going to hold onto their first-round pick.

“It kind of all sunk in when I realized they were keeping the pick and it all came true and it was honestly pretty unbelievable.”

Strome will meet his team next week when he heads to the Valley for development camp and he’s ready to get to work.

“I need to have a good summer,” he said, “but I feel like if I do all the right things I can be ready to go and help this team win.”

The traditional route for a prospect is to spend a few years developing in juniors and the AHL, but Strome wants to make an impact as soon as he can.

“Right now at this second probably not,” Strome said of his readiness. “I need to put on a little weight and get a little stronger. If I do that, I’m giving myself the best chance to play. I want to have an impact and help the team next year.”

The six-foot-three, 180-pounder said he wants to add 15-20 pounds, putting on muscle to compete for the Coyotes. Preparing properly takes time, but he wants to fast-track his NHL career.

“I want to do it as best as possible but at the same time I want to do it as fast as possible and help the team win.”