Washington Capitals Extend Core Player to Massive $72 Million Deal

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension, the team and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman stated today. The deal has a cap value of $9 million per year.

Since the 2020-21 campaign, Chychrun ranks among the NHL's top-scoring blueliners, placing third on power-play goals (22) and total goals (66).

Only Cale Makar (100 goals, 36 power-play goals) and Roman Josi (81 goals, 31 power-play goals) have more goals than him during that period.

Now 26 years old, Chychrun is enjoying his finest season with Washington, with 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 65 games.

He leads all NHL blueliners with game-winners (6) and is among the league's best power-play goal-getters (5), total goal-scorers (third), and even-strength goal differential players (+26, tied 6th).

Among Capitals defensemen, he paces them in goals, game-winners, and power-play points (14), and is second in assists, total points, and average time on ice (20:56). Washington's mark is an impressive 17-0-1 when he finds the net this season.

Acquired from the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2024, in a trade for defenseman Nick Jensen and a third-round draft choice in 2026, Chychrun has been a quick injection of energy.

His 18 goals are the most any blueliner has scored in their initial year with the Capitals, and his 43 points are second all-time behind Larry Murphy's 46 during the 1983-84 season.

Originally picked 16th overall by Arizona in 2016, the Boca Raton, Fla., native has played 532 NHL games with 259 points (94 goals, 165 assists) among stints with the Coyotes, Senators, and Capitals.

He led all NHL defensemen in goals (18) during the 2020-21 season.