The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $9 million, the team announced Tuesday.
The 26-year-old was set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He'll turn 27 on Monday.
Chychrun's $9-million cap hit will tie him with Dougie Hamilton and Cale Makar as the 10th-highest paid defenseman in the league next season. It will also make him Washington's highest-paid blue-liner, surpassing John Carlson ($8 million AAV).
The Capitals acquired Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators in the offseason in exchange for blue-liner Nick Jensen and a third-round pick.
Chychrun has thrived in his first season in D.C., establishing a career high with 43 points through 65 games. He's also scored 18 goals, which matches his career high and is third among NHL defensemen this campaign. His 20:56 average time on ice is second on the NHL-leading Capitals behind Carlson (23:38).
"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," 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."
The Boca Raton, Florida, native was drafted 16th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016 and made his NHL debut at 18. He spent parts of seven seasons in the desert before he was traded to the Senators prior to the 2023 deadline in exchange for a first-round pick and two second-rounders.
Chychrun has averaged 14 goals and 25 assists per 82 games in his nine-year career, averaging 21:16 per contest in ice time.
The extension is the latest for a Capitals front office that continues to be proactive. Washington already signed goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren to extensions earlier this season.
Their list of remaining pending UFAs includes Andrew Mangiapane, Lars Eller, Nic Dowd, and Anthony Beauvillier. The contracts of Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are also set to expire, though both have spent the season on long-term injured reserve.
