Capitals Must Prioritize Re-Signing Chychrun Early

The Washington Capitals have looked a lot stronger to start the 2024-25 campaign, and a big reason for that is the play of Jakob Chychrun on the backend.

Chychrun has been a stellar add for D.C., and his play has made all the difference as Washington's won its last three games.

Through four games so far, the 26-year-old has a goal and two assists through four games and is a plus-5 while playing on the top defensive pairing with John Carlson. He ranks second on the team in average ice time per game (22:00 minutes), trailing only his defensive partner, who is logging extra time on the first power-play unit to boot.

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It's not just his contributions on the scoresheet that have made the difference, though; it's his talent.

Chychrun is a fast, smooth skater whose biggest asset is his offensive prowess. He can carry the puck up ice effectively with ease, join the rush and be a threat with his passing or his booming shot.

On defense, he can get back quickly, match up well with his opponents and take good care of the puck thanks to his stickhandling and high hockey IQ.

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Chychrun is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, but for general manager Chris Patrick, re-signing him long-term should be the priority.

Related: In A Small Sample Size, Pierre-Luc Dubois Is Doing Just What The Capitals Hoped — And Then Some: 'He's A Machine'

What he's contributed offensively, as well as his poise with the puck, has improved D.C. ten-fold, and it's evident in how the team is clicking and able to produce to open the year.

While it's still early for Chychrun in his tenure, the difference is evident with him in the lineup, and he can be an impact player for D.C. for years to come.

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