W Ilya Protas - Windsor Spitfires, OHL (2024, 75th, WSH)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Big, skilled, and has a good motor. His problem is that he’s a bad skater, and for the rest of his skillset it might be bad enough that he’s not worth being drafted. I wouldn’t be too surprised if someone takes him late rounds, but I’d probably say he’s not a pick.

Brother is the NHL'er Alexei. Young for the 2024 draft as a mid-July birthday. Has 8+25=33 points in 44 games.

Ilya Protas - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Ilya Protas, 2006-07-18 Vitebsk, BLR Belarus. Most recently in the OHL with Windsor Spitfires. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

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[austin63867]

His skating seemed average, which isn't terrible for being 6'3 and bulky. His offensive game and playmaking IQ makes me think he'll be taken potentially some point around rounds 3-5 as of right now, especially if you think he can become like his brother.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

49th NA Skater in the final list.

This is equivalent to a 3rd round - start of 4th

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Washington

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

75th... Yes...

 

[Carlzner]

His brother was also a poor skater and the Caps have helped significantly improve it, hopefully they can do the same thing here

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Seems like a reach. Very poor skater. Padded his stats on a bad team. Got outscored pretty handily by a 2025 draft eligible who likely won't be a first rounder.

I'm a big advocate for USHL players, but I think they took him too early because of his brother and could've waited a few more rounds.

 

[pgfan66]

Seems like a reach. Very poor skater. Padded his stats on a bad team. Got outscored pretty handily by a 2025 draft eligible who likely won't be a first rounder.

I'm a big advocate for USHL players, but I think they took him too early because of his brother and could've waited a few more rounds.

100%

 

[KILLger]

Guess Washington like him more than you do: Capitals Sign Ilya Protas | Washington Capitals

 

[Lou Sassole]

Guess Washington like him more than you do: Capitals Sign Ilya Protas | Washington Capitals

This. He looked great at development camp. Skating and hands were impressive.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Protas to Windsor. Interested to see how he looks with Greentree and Spellacy

 

[Mrfenn92]

Protas to Windsor. Interested to see how he looks with Greentree and Spellacy

Big friggin line

 

[pgfan66]

This. He looked great at development camp. Skating and hands were impressive.

Skating? Are you sure you were watching Protas?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Skating? Are you sure you were watching Protas?

All of the Caps beat reporters said he looked better than expected skating, and Mahoney (Caps AGM) called him out for it as well when rookie camp wrapped up. So yes, he’s probably pretty sure.

 

[pgfan66]

All of the Caps beat reporters said he looked better than expected skating, and Mahoney (Caps AGM) called him out for it as well when rookie camp wrapped up. So yes, he’s probably pretty sure.

“Impressive skating” and “better than expected skating” are two very different things to me.

 

[TopC0rner]

Skating? Are you sure you were watching Protas?

Rumour is he had rocket skates

 

[Pan]

Hat-trick in the preseason game tonight.

 

[Sticktape]

Off to a good start with the Spitfires. He has 9 goals and 15 points in 8 games so far.

 

[Topcheese31]

Him and Greentree are a lethal duo

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Him and Greentree are a lethal duo

Holy bad skating. Please tell me they’ve placed Pavel Bure as the third on that line.

 

[stephenball]

Has anyone been watching the games to let me know how he’s been looking? Obviously his brother is doing great for the Caps this season, and had similar knocks against his skating which seems like a thing of the past, he looks quick out there now. The Caps obviously feel like they can teach skating, and so far it’s looking good, guys like Protas and McMichael look so much faster this year.

I see his stats are very good so far this year, I was just hoping to get a little scouting report from people who get to watch the games.

 

[dr1234]

I’ve seen him live a few times and he looks like a true nhl calibre talent in the mold of his brother. I don’t think his skating will hinder him like many are saying, and with his hands and brain I can see him being successful at the next level.

 

[stephenball]

I’ve seen him live a few times and he looks like a true nhl calibre talent in the mold of his brother. I don’t think his skating will hinder him like many are saying, and with his hands and brain I can see him being successful at the next level.

It’s funny, I was going to say I want to see a Protas-Protas-Wilson line in the future just to see the pure size, but last night the Caps had Protas-Dubois-Wilson together, not exactly small.

Would be outstanding if Ilya could develop like his brother, getting a pair of huge skilled forwards in the 3rd round would be huge.

 

[Topcheese31]

His skating need some work that's for sure, but he have a IG above average with a letal shot. His hands are pretty good aswell for a guys his size. I see a middle 6 players in the NHL.

The comparable is pretty easy here as he's Protas 2.0 lol