The Washington Capitals have signed Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year extension worth $72 million, committing long-term to the defenseman they acquired last offseason.

Chychrun, who turns 27 next week, was in the last year of a six-year deal he signed in 2018 with the Arizona Coyotes and was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The $9 million average annual value of his contract makes him the highest-paid Capitals defenseman. It's also second behind Alex Ovechkin ($9.5 million) on the team next season.

The Capitals acquired Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators last summer for a 2026 third-round draft pick and defenseman Nick Jensen. The offensive defenseman is having his best NHL season, establishing a career high in points (43) in 65 games and tying his career best in goals (18).

"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," GM Chris Patrick said in a statement Tuesday. "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."

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Chychrun ranks third in the NHL in power-play goals (22) and tied for third in goals (66) among defensemen. Only Colorado's Cale Makar (100 goals, 36 power-play goals) and Nashville's Roman Josi (81 goals, 31 power-play goals) have more goals and power-play goals than Chychrun in that span.

The signing of Chychrun gives the Capitals three defensemen locked in through at least 2029, along with Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin. It also gives the Capitals a potential successor to John Carlson, the 16-year veteran who turns 36 next season, the last year of his 8-year contract.

Acquiring Chychrun was one of several moves made by the Capitals to remain a playoff contender while Ovechkin chases down Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record. Those moves paid off: The Capitals are first in the NHL with 102 points and were the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

Chychrun's contract carries the same average annual value as Josi, Makar and Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils, but the economic landscape in the NHL is about to dramatically change. In January, the NHL and NHLPA confirmed the salary cap will jump over the next three seasons. The salary cap for 2025-26 will rise to $95.5 million from $88 million this season; by 2026-27, it's projected to increase to $113.5 million.