The league-leading Washington Capitals have taken another step toward locking up their core.
Defenceman Jakob Chychrun signed an eight-year, $72 million extension to stay in the U.S. capital on Tuesday, the team announced.
Chychrun, 26, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the off-season for defenceman Nick Jensen and a third-round pick.
He has immediately played a role in the team’s surprising turnaround as it chases the President’s Trophy, recording a career-high 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 65 games.
Capitals general manager Chris Patrick called Chychrun, the Boca Raton, Fla., native, a “proven, dynamic defenceman.”
“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,” Patrick said in a statement.
Chychrun’s 18 goals this season are more than Washington’s other defensemen combined and rank third in the league. Getting the soon-to-be 27-year-old under contract was the last in-season item on Patrick’s to-do list after also getting goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren locked up long term.
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Chychrun spent parts of the first seven seasons of his career with the Arizona Coyotes before a mid-season trade to the Ottawa Senators in 2023, where he appeared in 94 games.
He was originally selected by the Coyotes 16th overall in the 2016 draft. In 532 career contests since then, Chychrun’s recorded 259 points (94 goals, 165 assists).
The Capitals lead the NHL with a 47-15-8 record, good for 102 points. They visit the second-place Winnipeg Jets (100 points) on Tuesday.
Washington is the lone team to have clinched its playoff spot.
–with files from The Associated Press
