Dylan Strome is at ease — and thriving — with the Washington Capitals as the former Chicago Blackhawk returns to the United Center

Dylan Strome had to have seen the writing on the wall last summer — the Chicago Blackhawks sent enough signals they weren’t going to re-sign him — but it still came as a shock when the longtime Hawks forward learned an offer wasn’t coming.

“I only found out about four or five days before free agency, so it wasn’t much time to think about it,” said Strome, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Washington Capitals. “You don’t really know where you’re going to play. There’s lots that’s going to happen.

“I’m happy in Washington. It’s been good.”

For the first time since November 2018, when he was traded to the Hawks from the Arizona Coyotes, Strome addressed reporters at the United Center in front of a stall in the visitors locker room.

“It’s weird for sure,” he said Tuesday before the Capitals played the Hawks. “Obviously being on this side, it’s a little different, but I’m excited for the game and the team’s been playing better as of late, so I’m ready to go.”

Despite how things played out after the better part of four seasons with the Hawks, Strome seemed at peace. He certainly landed on his feet with the Caps.

He has six goals and 16 assists in 30 games and has been playing on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Conor Sheary since mid-November. His 22 points entering Tuesday’s game are tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov for second on the team.

“I didn’t know him much when he played in Chicago … but he creates,” Ovechkin said. “He’s a smart player.”

Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said Strome has had “a terrific start.”

“It’s always exciting when you come back into your building that you played in and have a lot of memories here,” Laviolette said, “but for us he’s been excellent with his game.”

Hawks forward Reese Johnson said Strome’s success in Washington is no surprise.

“Very intelligent player,” he said. “Very good at knowing where to be, always in a good spot to receive the puck and very good at making plays, especially (with) those guys.”

Strome also has played a good share on the power play, which accounts for two of his goals and nine of his assists.

“They’ve trusted me with some time on the power play,” he said. “I’ve been on the power play every game this season. It’s been nice.”

Trust seemed to be an issue during his tenure in Chicago. At times, both of the coaches he played under, Jeremy Colliton and interim coach Derek King, questioned Strome’s consistency and commitment to an all-around game.

He seemed to go in and out of the doghouse — from being a healthy scratch early last season to eventually starting on the top line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.

Some of his ex-teammates said Strome was underappreciated.

“He had a good season last year,” Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said, “and he’s one of those guys after Cat (Alex DeBrincat) and Dacher (Kirby Dach) got traded, we didn’t really talk much about — you guys (in the media) didn’t talk much about us losing him as a player.”

Strome had 22 goals and 26 assists in 69 games for the Hawks last season.

“He’s a big part of our offense these last few years and it’s good to see him doing well,” Toews said.

Strome cemented connections in Chicago that go beyond the ice.

He said he keeps in touch with Kane and DeBrincat, who’s now in Ottawa, though “people are busy, everyone’s got their own stuff going on.”

MacKenzie Enwtistle called Strome “one of my closest friends on the team last year.”

“I grew up playing with his younger brother (AHL Hershey Bears forward Matthew Strome) for 11 years,” Entwistle said. “So I was close to that family, had a lot of nights out there playing mini sticks and just growing up together with Stromer.”

Strome added: “I’ve got some good friends on the team still. … I loved playing here, it’s a great city. My wife loves it here and my daughter and of course the dog, so lots of memories here.”

Now Strome is trying to put down roots in Washington.

“I have a backyard now, so it’s good for (my dog) Benny,” Strome said. “He’s been loving it out there. And my daughter loves it too. There’s some good areas for kids to play and there’s lots of kids on this team, so they’ve been hanging out together. And my wife loves it too.”

Strome hopes to make the case to sign a long-term deal with the Caps.

“That’s the goal,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”

First he and the Hawks had to get through the emotions of Tuesday night’s homecoming. Ex-Hawks Erik Gustafsson and Trevor van Riemsdyk also made their returns.

“Whenever you play against an old team, you want to do your best,” Strome said.

Toews said the Hawks would “try to keep him off the scoresheet ... (he’ll) be looking for a little retribution for sure.”

“We’re friends off the ice,” Entwistle said, “but we’ve got to put that aside on the ice and we’re desperate for a win.”

Chances were good that Johnson, who leads Hawks forwards with 52 hits, would cross paths on the ice with Strome.

“Never any friends on the ice,” Johnson said. ”If the hit’s there, I’ll take it.”