Protas' new contract with the Capitals carries an average annual value of $3.375 million.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Aliaksei Protas to a five-year extension, general manager Brian MacLellan announced on Friday.
Protas' contract carries an average annual value of $3.375 million. Per Puckpedia, his new deal carries a $7 million signing bonus.
"Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract," MacLellan said. "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."
Protas has had a breakout year so far for D.C., picking up three goals and 15 assists for 18 points in 42 games with the Capitals. His 17 points at even strength are the second-most on the team and his 2.13 assists per 60 at 5-on-5 rank eighth league-wide.
The 23-year-old is on pace to finish with 35 points this season and has already established new career highs in assists and points while playing a pivotal role on the third line with Connor McMichael and Anthony Mantha.
Protas said that head coach Spencer Carbery has helped him take his game to the next level this season.
"I feel way different in terms of like, playing with the puck and even without the puck. Carbs, I think, show me the way to raise my game to another level, absolutely," Protas told The Hockey News. "Just little details he just showed me, and now I feel really different, way more comfortable with the puck and without the puck. Huge difference, actually. He showed me a couple of big details I needed to know."
The Belarus native is playing in his first full NHL season after working his way up the ranks following his third-round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft. He won the Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears back in June.