Aliaksei Protas a Bright Spot in Otherwise Lost Season for Caps

While the 2022-23 season for the Washington Capitals will be considered “lost” with the team’s failure to make the playoffs, there were a few bright spots. One of those was the emergence of Aliaksei Protas as a full-time NHL player.

Protas won a spot on the opening night roster in training camp over Connor McMichael, despite the latter being widely viewed as the better prospect. Protas took the opportunity and ran with it. As the team got healthier, Protas, who was waivers exempt, had stints in the AHL, but never let it deter him. The rookie forward might not be putting up a massive point total, but a look under the hood shows how good the 23-year-old has been.

According to NaturalStatTrick, at five-on-five Protas is third on the team in shot attempt percentage, first in expected goals for percentage, third in scoring chances for percentage and second in high-danger chances for, all while he has started the third fewest percent of shifts in the offensive zone among players with at least 500 minutes played with the team.

However, Protas said he doesn’t look at analytics and instead just focuses on how he can help the team get a result.

Protas only has 15 points (4g, 11a), but that is in part due to bad luck. He has a forward-low shooting percentage of 5.1% and a five-on-five on-ice shooting percentage (shooting percentage of the team when he is on the ice) of 7.28% according to NST, the fifth lowest on the team among players who played 500 minutes.

“At least I have chances,” Protas said. “Probably more a mental thing, but next time just be ready for that chance and take care of it. Sometimes you have one chance a game.” Protas added that sometimes throughout the season it had been frustrating not to be scoring.

One player Protas has found chemistry with his Nic Dowd. The pair have played more than 270 minutes together at five-on-five and have an xGF% of 59.54 and a goals-for percentage of 60%, despite the pair having started just 12.5% of their shifts in the offensive zone.

“I think he has the ability to play different styles of hockey,” Dowd said. “When he has an opportunity in space, he has a high hockey IQ.” Dowd added that the points will come when Protas starts getting more responsibilities and more experience.

Protas has earned the trust of head coach Peter Laviolette. After some occasional healthy scratches and mostly fourth-line minutes, Protas has seen time in the top-6.

“I think he is going to continue to grow. His growth has been great,” Laviolette said. “Whatever position or job he’s been asked to do, he’s been a real positive impact on our team this year.

“I would expect his impact to be even more next year,” Laviolette continued. “And the year after that and the year after that. I see nothing but growth from him.”