Jakob Chychrun has played a pivotal role in delivering offense from the blue line for the Washington Capitals, aiding them in becoming the premier team in the NHL this season. His contribution has been significant enough to secure his future with the team for the next eight years.
The Capitals announced on Tuesday that Chychrun has signed an eight-year extension valued at $72 million. This slick-skating, high-scoring defenseman will carry a $9 million cap hit annually from the onset of his new deal next season through 2033.
In revealing the contract, General Manager Chris Patrick praised Chychrun: “Jakob is a verified, dynamic defenseman in the prime of his career who has proven to be one of the elite blue-liners in the NHL. His work ethic, skill set, and capacity to achieve success in every situation at both ends of the rink make him a vital asset to our team. He aligns perfectly with our culture and vision for the future, and we are ecstatic to have him continue with our organization for the next eight years.”
Chychrun’s current season statistics are impressive, with 18 goals placing him third among the league’s defensemen, surpassing the combined score of all other Washington defensemen. Additionally, he has tallied 25 assists, culminating in a career-high 43 points across 65 appearances. These contributions ensure that his occasional defensive gambles, which may lead to opposing goals, are well offset.
Coach Spencer Carbery has been trying Chychrun on the top power play unit, usually the domain of John Carlson. Carbery noted, “(Jakob) differs as a power-play quarterback from John. While John is more cerebral and stable, creating scoring opportunities through stationary avenues, Jakob tends to be a mobile force, shifting laterally across the blue line and generating favorable positions with his movement, and he’s capable of delivering more sifted shots with his wrist shot rather than focusing on one-timers.”
Chychrun, who is on the cusp of turning 27, sustained a skate cut on his right wrist during Saturday’s game against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. Although he resumed play in the Capitals’ 6-3 win, Monday’s practice saw him somewhat limited prior to the team’s trip to Winnipeg. Carbery expressed measured concern: “We’ll see how he feels. Luckily, there wasn’t substantial damage, but it’s still a considerable cut.”
Securing Chychrun’s re-signing was the final task on Patrick’s in-season agenda following the extensions for goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren.
Previously, Brian MacLellan, now still influencing as president of hockey operations, engineered Chychrun’s acquisition via a trade with Ottawa last offseason in exchange for defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round draft choice. Other operations by MacLellan, such as bringing in Thompson from Vegas and center Pierre-Luc Dubois from Los Angeles, have also paid off excellently.
Chychrun was once a trade deadline target for the Capitals in 2023 when Arizona instead traded him to the Senators. Having him now secured, the organization views him as a foundational piece, crucial not just for Alex Ovechkin’s last season but also for the forthcoming era, featuring promising talent such as Ryan Leonard.
Chychrun’s new contract makes him the longest-term commitment on the roster, placing him as the second highest-paid player behind Ovechkin starting next season, and leading the pay scale in subsequent years.