Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $72 million. The 26-year-old (who turns 27 on Monday) was set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season; he will count $9 million against the salary cap from when the new deal kicks in next season through 2033.

Chychrun was in the last year of a six-year deal he signed in 2018 with the Arizona Coyotes. The $9 million average annual value of his contract makes him the highest-paid Capitals defenseman, second behind Alex Ovechkin ($9.5 million) on the team next season.

The Capitals posted the news in a social media post which read: “ CHYCHY’S LOCKED IN The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension. Chychrun’s contract will carry an average annual value of $9 million. #ALLCAPS | @Shift4”

Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement: “Jakob is a proven, dynamic defenseman in the prime of his career who has established himself as one of the premier blue liners in the NHL. His work ethic, skillset 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’s 18 goals this season rank third in the league, and are more than Washington’s other defensemen combined. He also has 25 assists to give him a career-high 43 points in 65 games.

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