Washington Capitals get it right with Aliaksei Protas

The five year extension will keep the 23 year old with the Washington Capitals through the 2028-29 season. Aliaksei Protas' new deal is worth up to $16.875 million or an AAV of $3.375 million.

General Manager Brian MacLellan said in a team issued press release:

"Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract. He has taken great strides in his professional career, and we expect him to continue to improve and play a pivotal and impactful role on this team for many years to come."

So far this season he has recorded 18 points in 42 games with three goals and 15 assists. He's a big guy at six foot six and 237 pounds and with that big size packs an offensive punch. He's tied for second on the Caps in seven stregth points with 17 of his 18 while ranked third in assists with eight, all of them being primary.

In addition he has already established an NHL single season career high in assist and points as well as 13:02 minutes of ice time per game. Protas also ranks tied for eighth in assists per 60 minutes at five on five 2.13.

Protas came up the ranks and has fully completed his graduation from prospect to pro. He was a third round pick for WAshington at 91st overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Last season he had 15 points with four goals and 11 assists in 58 games so he already has a three point improvement from last year and it took him 16 less games.

Along the way he helped out the Hershey Bears in their run to the Calder Cup over the spring as he had 13 points in 20 playoff games with five goals and eight assists. Protas and the Caps take on the Blues in St. Louis tomorrow night in a rematch from last night.