Aliaksei Protas Inks Five-Year Extension With Capitals
Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas has signed a five-year, $16.875 million contract extension that carries an average annual value of $3.375 million through the 2028-29 season. The 23-year-old was scheduled to be a restricted free agent following the 2023-24 season. He has recorded three goals and 18 points across 42 games on the season while averaging 13:02 of ice time per game, mostly in a third-line role on a line with center Connor McMichael. A 2019 third-round pick of the Caps, Protas has appeared in 133 career regular-season games with 10 goals and 42 points on 172 shots on goal in that time. He also has 12 goals and 36 points across 67 games with the AHL's Hershey Bears on his professional resume.
Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas celebrated his first career goal in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Hurricanes, putting his team up 2-0 in the second period less than a minute after Alex Ovechkin had started the scoring. Protas fired off four shots in the game and registered one hit in 17:27 of ice time. The 20-year-old rookie reached his first goal in his 11th game in the league. It was only a matter of time before he got off the mark after the young Belarusian was promoted to the first line. He's now notched three points across the last two games while playing with Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas will have a special night on Wednesday against Montreal, joining Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov on the first line. This is a major opportunity for the young Belarusian, who's been sparingly used so far this season. The 20-year-old has picked up one assist in his first eight career appearances. Tom Wilson is joining Connor McMichael and Daniel Sprong on the second line. T.J. Oshie (lower body) returned to the lineup last week but got injured again and Conor Sheary (upper body) is unavailable, so head coach Peter Laviolette been has forced into some line shuffling again.
