As the NHL offseason winds down and we all start to think about what's to come next season, hope always reigns supreme. Usually, anyway.

Protas was third on Washington with 30 goals and tied center Pierre-Luc Dubois for third with 66 points in 76 regular-season games.

Protas had a ton of success with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson. Washington carried a 60 percent expected goal share in their 192 minutes together and outscored opponents 13-8.

Leading scorer Dylan Strome said Dubois, along with 29-goal scorer Aliaksei Protas, has arguably been one of their best players.

Leading scorer Dylan Strome said Dubois, along with 29-goal scorer Aliaksei Protas, has arguably been one of their best players.

Leading scorer Dylan Strome said Dubois, along with 29-goal scorer Aliaksei Protas, has arguably been one of their best players.

The Capitals have a bevy of players overachieving this season aside from their captain, and no one has had more of a breakout year than power forward Aliaksei Protas.

Pierre-Luc Dubois didn't last long with the Los Angeles Kings. Just one season into his eight-year contract, he was traded to the Washington Capitals last June for goalie Darcy Kuemper.