Protas named player of the week

[Team_Spirit]

 

[eojsmada]

Snuck he and Strome on to my Fantasy League team after I had a couple of players not perform well early on. Protas's and McMichael's progression have been one of the stronger catalysts for Washington's dominance, this year.

 

[HTFN]

He's my current favorite example of having a really good feeling about a prospect that you absolutely can't share with HF without getting scorned mercilessly. It was tough sledding on the team boards at times, no way was the hype train hitting the main ones, but to me the crazy thing isn't that he's capable of this so much as he actually went out and did it instead of making me look like a doofus.

 

[AllAlphas]

If he had a single mean bone in his body this board wouldn't stop singing his praises, but because he doesn't hit, fight, or face wash guys in a scrum he has flown under the radar here for most of this season.
He's an incredibly talented gentle giant who is definitely the most improved player in the NHL this year... and signed at 3.375 million for the next four years after this one.
His wrist shot on breakaways appears to be nearly unstoppable and his defense is outstanding.
I can't wait to see him play with his little brother Ilya (who had another hat trick tonight with Windsor) on a line in the next few years.

 

[GoCaps2004]

He’s been such a revelation. Always had some tools— great D, hockey sense, and forechecking ability, but skating took such a huge step (god bless Wendy Marco) in the offseason, pared with Carberry giving him more opportunities to prove himself

 

[Ghost of Murph]

Awesome to see Protas get some recognition. He has been a lot of fun to watch this season. It's unusual to see a guy who has averaged roughly 5.5% shot PCT his first 3 seasons combined all of a sudden jump to 23%.

 

[SNES]

Unsustainable shooting percentage but congrats!

 

[L4br3cqu3]

I may be alone on that, and while I'm a Habs fan, I always liked seeing young players figure how to become productive NHL players, whatever the team they're playing on, cases like his are the reasons I've been sticking here for so long. Protas sure is recognizable on the ice.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

He's my current favorite example of having a really good feeling about a prospect that you absolutely can't share with HF without getting scorned mercilessly. It was tough sledding on the team boards at times, no way was the hype train hitting the main ones, but to me the crazy thing isn't that he's capable of this, just that he actually went out and did it instead of making me look like a doofus.

Bit different, but I had similar feelings on Tage- good feeling when that project actually turns out well.

I may be alone on that, and while I'm a Habs fan, I always liked seeing young players figure how to become productive NHL players, whatever the team they're playing on, cases like his are the reasons I've been sticking here for so long. Protas sure is recognizable on the ice.

Nah I’m with ya, as long as a guy isn’t clearly an awful human being I kinda root for success. Obviously everyone can’t win, but it’s good to see dudes figure the game out at the highest level.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

The Belarusian Beast. He’s so strong on the puck and has underrated speed too. He’s a key factor of the Caps’ success this season.

 

[Aleena]

Is he the best Belarusian hockey player in the world right now? Or am I forgetting someone?

 

[ThaDevilGirl]

My hockey pool loves him. Took a risk and picked him up a month after the season started. I was a bit scared he was on a hot streak to start the season but he's maintained his production. What a find by the Caps!

 

[ViD]

Is he the best Belarusian hockey player in the world right now? Or am I forgetting someone?

Yes, he is. I’d say Sharangovich is second and the third is between Levshunov and Protas lil bro

 

[HTFN]

Bit different, but I had similar feelings on Tage- good feeling when that project actually turns out well.


Nah I’m with ya, as long as a guy isn’t clearly an awful human being I kinda root for success. Obviously everyone can’t win, but it’s good to see dudes figure the game out at the highest level.

he was a mocked comparable when I brought up other really big guys who don't put the tools together in their first few years but show these really tantalizing flashes.

"Oh sure he's gonna be point per game any day now" and I'd say "no, but there's a potential 30g/60-70p guy in there with better defensive impacts at the time" and I swear to f***ing god if HF lost those posts when I'm ready to rub it in later...

 

[jetsforever]

Has this always been an award?

 

[Kshahdoo]

Yes, he is. I’d say Sharangovich is second and the third is between Levshunov and Protas lil bro

They have some interesting young KHLers, like Moroz, who's just 21 and is 25+17 after 63 games.

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

And remember! If your over 50 get your protas checked!

 

[Essenege]

What the Caps have done should be a notice to all eternal rebuilding teams.

Aging team…2-3 smart moves to acquire undervalued assets, 2-3 good later picks and boom you’re back to contention.

Is this a better the way then selling all good pieces and build again? In some situation I think absolutely. Bruins comes to mind.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Sold high on him in my dynasty league for Yurov and Wallstedt. LFG

 

[ozo]

Is he the best Belarusian hockey player in the world right now? Or am I forgetting someone?

Heey, Sergei Kostitsyn has not yet retired...

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Is this guy the real deal or is this looking like a one-off season? I don’t watch enough caps hockey to have an informed opinion here.