Capitals re-sign defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an 8-year extension worth $72 million

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year extension worth $72 million.

General manager Chris Patrick announced the contract Tuesday, hours before the Capitals played at Winnipeg in a matchup of the top two teams in the NHL. Chychrun will count $9 million against the salary cap from when the new deal kicks in next season through 2033.

“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,” Patrick said. “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 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.

Patrick’s predecessor, and still boss as president of hockey operations, Brian MacLellan acquired Chychrun in a trade with Ottawa last offseason. The Boca Raton, Fla., native previously played for Arizona before the Coyotes dealt him to the Senators.