Former Ottawa Senator Jakob Chychrun Gets Massive Deal In Washington

Former Ottawa Senators defenceman Jakob Chychrun has signed an eight-year, $72 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals.

Capitals general manager Chris Patrick made the announcement today.

"Jakob is a proven, dynamic defenceman in the prime of his career who has established himself as one of the premier blueliners in the NHL," Patrick said in club statement. "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."

Chychrun, 26, has a career-high 43 points in 65 games with the Capitals this season. But simply put, it's the kind of deal that wouldn't have made a lick of sense in Ottawa - not unless the Senators chose to move out the likes of Jake Sanderson or Thomas Chabot, who both bring similar styles on the left side. All three move the puck well and excel at creating offence from the back end.

Sanderson and Chabot both make in the vicinity of $8 million while Chychrun's AAV will be $9 million, which drives home why Senators GM Steve Staios was pro-active in moving Chychrun last summer for Nick Jensen in the great re-balancing act of 2024. Chychrun is a fine defenceman with heavy local ties, but for a team like the Senators, it wasn't wise to give up a first-rounder and two seconds to bring in a superfluous asset.

In Washington, it's been a perfect fit, especially with their top defenceman, 35-year-old John Carlson, now starting to approach his sunset years.

"It’s been a great fit for me personally," Chychrun told the media back in January during the Caps' visit to Ottawa. "I think I’ve really enjoyed my time (in Washington), and when you’re winning hockey games, it’s always a lot of fun. So, you know, we’ve got a great group that’s been playing well with one another, and we’re just doing our best to get better each day now."

As a big fan of consuming raw meat, Chychrun's health regimen remains as "alternative" as ever, at least according to teammate Dylan Strome.

“He has a new thing every day,” Strome said on the NHL Unscripted Podcast. “I heard yesterday that he’s 'no light bulbs.' He’s doing candle-lit in his house now. That’s what his thing was yesterday. So, he was on to beeswax candles is what I heard is great for you. So, now we’re all bugging him about beeswax candles.

"Like, there's lights everywhere (you go). What are you talking about with no light bulbs?"

Sounds like the same old Chyc. It's good to see he's finally found a nice fit in a new (dimly lit) NHL home.

By Steve Warne
Site Editor at The Hockey News Ottawa

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