Out of all the picks, this one has the most potential to be the next "Lindblom pick."
Really love getting him at 106
Strome is now officially my favorite prospect, but I'd still hold off on this one. Lindblom needed some first step work, had a slightly disappointing J20 season, but bookended it with a good Hlinka and u18s, only to fall to round 5 with Euro factor playing some part in that. Strome had a pretty expected season but not anything remarkable, did ok at u18s, fell unexpectedly to round 4 largely due to skating.
They don't play worlds apart stylistically, but Lindblom was also 9 months younger in his draft year than Strome and better in virtually everything. His track record, internationally and in seasons prior, was much better. He was/is more skilled, and plays quicker beyond the skating. And his skating had a higher baseline too. Lindblom's skating knock was largely overblown. Edges, quick feet, all were fine. Just needed some burst and not out of the ordinary power skating work. Strome is bigger, heavier, and skates like it too in every sense one can skate. I think his baseline skating is coming from a worse place. Apparently it didn't improve much this season past. Strome can still be a solid bottom 6 guy with room for a bit more depending on those feet -- because he is pretty smart and decently skilled -- but I'm not expecting some Lindblom magic potential. Honestly, we might already have two guys who could be our next "Lindblom pick(s)" (in a relative sense) in Vorobyov and Laczynski.