Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Strome is about to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent in NHL free agency following the franchise's decision not to extend a qualifying offer.

Via Mark Lazerus of The Athletic:

Dylan Strome will not receive a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks, per source. The former No. 3 pick will be a UFA. Strome averaged nearly a point a game over the second half of the season as the No. 1 center between DeBrincat and Kane. His QO would have been $3.6 million.

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This is somewhat of a surprising decision by the Blackhawks, who have already parted ways with forward Alex DeBrincat via a trade with the Ottawa Senators. In return, Chicago shored up its future assets with a trio of draft picks from the Senators. Strome played a crucial role in the 2021-22 NHL season for the Blackhawks, mostly as the center on the top line that also featured Patrick Kane and DeBrincat.

This move by the Blackhawks can also be interpreted as another sign that they are moving in a different direction through a rebuild. Strome just seemingly isn't part of the Blackhawks front office's plan. Apart from Strome not getting a qualifying offer and trading DeBrincat, Chicago also let go of Kirby Dach in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens, a transaction that also netted the Blackhawks draft picks.

Strome should land on his feet. He definitely would attract plenty of attention after a season in which he posted 22 goals and 26 points for 48 points in just 69 games.