Jakob Chychrun signed an eight-year, $72 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. It begins next season and has an average annual value of $9 million.
The 26-year-old defenseman has an NHL career-high 44 points and has tied his career high with 18 goals in 66 games this season. He also has a plus-24 rating and ranks first among NHL defensemen in game-winning goals (six), tied for second in power-play goals (five) and third in goals. He could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
"I think this has just been such a great experience and it was something that if there was a number we were comfortable with, we were more than happy to stay and not test free agency," Chychrun said. "So, I’m really happy with things went and getting something done as we get towards the end of the season here and not have to think about it going into the playoffs. Just be able to go out and do everything we can to win."
Chychrun is in his first season with Washington after being acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2024, for defenseman Nick Jensen and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
"It's a huge signing for our organization, for our team for the future," Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. "He's done an amazing job since coming here at the beginning of the year. He's fit in so seamlessly well with our group, his personality. His skill set is obvious. I don't look past his skill set because he can do a lot of things with his skating, with his shot, running a power play, getting up into the rush, beating guys in one-on-one situations off the offensive blue line. So, that goes without saying. He's an elite skill set defenseman in the National Hockey League."
Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the first round (No. 16) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Chychrun has 260 points (94 goals, 166 assists) in 533 regular-season games for the Coyotes, Senators and Capitals, and one goal in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"It's just been awesome," Chychrun said. "It's been a blessing for my wife and I. We've, just from Day 1, felt so comfortable here, so happy here. The organization's incredible and, obviously, the group of guys. What we have in this room is so special and I've loved working with the coaching staff. Everything has just been so great.
"We were really hoping to get something done. I think up until a few days ago, talks were pretty slow and pretty quiet, which was also kind of nice because I wasn't thinking about it much because there just wasn't much going on. And then in the last couple of days, it got done. So, we’re very happy."
The Capitals (47-15-9), who have clinched a playoff berth, lead the Winnipeg Jets by one point for first in the NHL standings.
"Jakob is a proven, dynamic defenseman in the prime of his career who has established himself as one of the premier blueliners in the NHL," Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. "His work ethic, skill set, and ability to excel in all situations at both ends of the ice make him a valuable asset to our team. He is a perfect fit with our culture and vision for the future, and we couldn't be more thrilled that he will continue to be part of our organization for the next eight years."
NHL.com senior writer Tom Gulitti contributed to this report
