Washington Capitals: Aliaksei Protas has potential to be a hidden gem

The Washington Capitals signed their third-round draft pick Aliaksei Protas to an NHL entry-level contract.

The contract runs three years and Aliaksei Protas will earn an AAV of $716,666 from the Washington Capitals. After selecting Brett Leason in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, the Capitals traded their fourth-round pick to the New Jersey Devils for the late third-round selection of the 91st pick.

The Capitals used that pick to select Aliaksei Protas and like Leason may have vouched if he did talk about him to General Manager Brian MacLellan, the Capitals took a gem with that selection. Leason can confirm that as a teammate and this duo will be a star-powered line combo in Washington one day.

Protas is known by teammates and fans as “The Viper of Vitebsk” and was a standout on the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders. Protas recorded 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 61 games, ranking seventh among WHL rookies (via the Capitals press release announcement of the Protas signing).

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Protas was clutch in the playoffs with 12 goals and 10 assists (22 points) in 23 games. His 22 points led all rookies. This remarkable stretch included back-to-back hat tricks in two straight games.

Leason and Protas each shared a line during that run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup and connected with each other for goals eight times in that playoff run. Leason recorded 25 points.

Also noted in the Capitals media release: NHL Central Scouting ranked Protas 16th among centers and 30th overall among North American forwards.

Leason will be up in Hershey so one adjustment for Protas will be to adjust to a new line with Prince Albert. If he has another breakout season, maybe reach 15-20 goals and between 30-40 assists would be a big improvement for the Viper.

He’s got a tall size, six-foot-five, and has the physical capabilities of creating playmaking moves. The team got an extended look at him during the annual development camp and were impressed with his puck handling and stick-handling.

It is this experience from development camp that Protas looks to carry over into his second WHL season with Prince Albert.

After the time of his draft selection, Protas said, “I was so happy to join Prince Albert last season. Lot of speed, very physical league.”

Next. 2019 expectations for Philippe Maillet. dark

But maybe Protas impresses the coaches come training camp to the point that he does make it to the AHL in Hershey. If so, that would be a bargain struck and a fun line to watch at that level with Leason. Don’t count it out.

One thing is for certain, Protas is a gem in the fact that he’s got the length for 20/20 ice vision, can create the good pass, and is a part of a young prospect pool for a franchise that continues to get better.

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