Photo: The Score
The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday morning that the team has re-signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year contract extension that carries a $9 million cap hit. Chychrun, who turns 27 on March 31, could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
After being acquired in a trade that sent Nick Jensen to the Ottawa Senators last July 1, Chychrun has tallied 18 goals, a career-high 43 points, a +24 rating, .5215 five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, .4853 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and .5209 five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 65 games.
“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,” said GM Chris Patrick. “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.”
In 532 career NHL regular-season games with Washington, Ottawa, and the Arizona Coyotes, Chychrun has 94 goals, 259 points, and a -45 rating.
Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Chychrun ranks third in the NHL in power-play goals (22) and tied for third in goals (66) among defensemen. Only Cale Makar (100 goals, 36 power-play goals) of the Colorado Avalanche and Roman Josi (81 goals, 31 power-play goals) of the Nashville Predators have more goals and power-play goals than Chychrun in that span.
Chychrun ranks first among NHL defensemen in game-winning goals (6), tied for second in power-play goals (5), third in goals and tied for sixth in even-strength goal differential (+26). Among Capitals blueliners, the 6’2”, 216-pound defenseman ranks first in goals, game-winning goals, power-play goals and power-play points (14), second in assists, points and ice time per game (20:56) and tied for second in plus-minus (+24). Chychrun, who has eclipsed the 40-point mark for the second straight season and the third time in his career, is one goal shy of establishing a new single season career high (also 18g in 56 GP in 2020-21). The Capitals have a record of 17-0-1 when Chychrun scores this season.
Chychrun’s 18 goals are the most by a defenseman in his first season with the Capitals, while his 43 points are the second most (Larry Murphy: 13-33-46 in 1983-84). Chychrun appeared in all 82 games for Ottawa last season and is one of five Capitals defensemen to play in at least 65 of the team’s 70 games this season.
The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension. The 26-year-old leads Washington defensemen in goals, game-winning goals and power-play points this season. pic.twitter.com/qQA5aScz9r
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) March 25, 2025
Washington, who re-signed goaltender Logan Thompson to a six-year contract extension ($5.85 million cap hit) on January 27 and goaltender Charlie Lindgren to a three-year contract extension ($3 million cap hit), has $75,375,000 committed on their salary cap next season with left-wings Andrew Mangiapane and Anthony Beauvillier, centers Lars Eller and Nic Dowd, right-wing Taylor Raddysh, and defenseman Dylan McIlrath all eligible to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1 at 12 noon ET. Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev and center Hendrix Lapierre could become restricted free agents that day.
The team leads the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference with a 47-15-8 record (.729 points percentage) and has a 12-point lead for first in the division and conference on the Carolina Hurricanes with each team down to 12 games to go in the regular season.
The Capitals start a two-game road trip at the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday (8 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market).
Very talented player and physically gifted. Also has a 103.5 PDO this year and shooting 11.5%, while not carrying a huge load in terms of minutes or deployment. Will be interesting to see how it plays out – and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it goes well.
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 25, 2025
By Harrison Brown
