Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Watch: Jakob Chychrun gives Capitals another reason to re-sign him with goal vs. Penguins

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 7:54 PM ET

If the Washington Capitals didn't have enough incentive to try to keep defenseman Jakob Chychrun around past the end of this season, he gave them reason No. 13 on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old, who was traded to the nation's capital from the Ottawa Senators during the offseason, scored his 13th goal of the season on a rocket of a shot from the blue line to beat Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist.

A boom and a bounce for Chych's 13th of the season pic.twitter.com/U0SslyHz9f
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2025

Chychrun sits third leaguewide in goals scored by defensemen this year, behind Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), who are tied with 15 each.

The former Senators star's contract expires at the conclusion of this season, but no deal on an extension has been reached with Washington. But that doesn't mean he's looking to hit the open market just yet.

"We love it here," he said in an interview with 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday. "The contract stuff, I'm not the one on the phone ... hopefully, all that other stuff gets taken care of soon."

Chychrun's 31 points lead Washington's defensemen and is good for seventh overall on the roster. If the team were looking for an heir-apparent to alternate captain John Carlson (35), this would be the guy.

"I just try to focus on preparing each night and just helping this club with hockey games. As long as we're doing that, I know all the other stuff will take care of itself," Chychrun said.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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