Ryan Strome

Lore & Background

Strome joined the Oilers after being traded by the New York Islanders on June 22, 2017, in exchange for forward Jordan Eberle. Oilers coach Todd McLellan praised Strome's versatility and ability to play many roles on the ice. Prior to the 2017–18 season, Strome was expected to play on Connor McDavid's right wing or be the second- or third-line center.

During October, he often played on the right wing of the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Milan Lucic, tallying four goals and seven assists for 11 points through his first 24 games. He also spent time on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Drake Caggiula, during which he scored the Oilers' 10,000th goal in team history in a 5–3 win over the San Jose Sharks on December 18. His production later slowed, and he became a mainstay on the Oilers' third line between Jujhar Khaira and Michael Cammalleri.

By January 19, he had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points through 46 games. After an injury to Nugent-Hopkins, Strome earned more time on the Oilers' power-play unit. He snapped a 21-game goalless drought with a game-winning goal in a 4–2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in February, sparking a six-game point streak. He also saw increased time on the Oilers' penalty killing unit, which ranked among the league's best on the road.

The Oilers were eliminated from playoff contention on March 22, 2018. Strome finished the season with 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points through 82 games. As a restricted free agent, he agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million extension with the Oilers on July 6, 2018.

Reader's Guide

Ryan Strome's tenure with the Edmonton Oilers spanned a single full season, 2017–18, during which he played all 82 games and recorded 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points. He was acquired in a high-profile trade that sent fan-favorite Jordan Eberle to the New York Islanders, placing immediate expectations on Strome to contribute offensively. While he showed flashes of production—including scoring the franchise's 10,000th goal and a six-game point streak—his overall output was modest, and the Oilers missed the playoffs.

Strome's versatility allowed him to play both center and wing on various lines, and he took on roles on both the power play and penalty kill as the season progressed. His time in Edmonton ended on November 16, 2018, when he was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Ryan Spooner, after tallying one goal and one assist through 18 games of the 2018–19 season. The trade marked a turning point in Strome's career, as he went on to set new personal bests with the Rangers.