Jakob Chychrun has opened eyes around the NHL with his incredible start to the 2025-26 season.
After a recent 10-game point streak for the Washington Capitals that also saw him pot a goal in five-straight games, Chychrun is reportedly even being mentioned as a potential defender for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman brought the 27-year-old blueliner up in the most recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, when discussing the battle for the last few spots on the expected goal-medal favorite roster.
“You know who else I think is on the long list? Jakob Chychrun,” Friedman said. “Winning goal against Toronto on Friday. I think he’s on the long list. The tough thing for me is that I think Canada really likes their D. They had injuries, those guys played well. We know Schaefer got added to the list, but I was watching Chychrun, and I said he’s gotta be in the conversation, and apparently, he is. These are going to be tough decisions.”
While Chychrun’s streaks ended in the Capitals’ 4-1 win against the New York Islanders on Sunday, the high-scoring rearguard still ranks first in goals scored (10) and fourth in total points (23) among all defensemen. The only Canadian defenseman with more points than him is Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar (32).
The Capitals have also been tremendous with Chychrun on the ice five-on-five, seeing 57.5 percent of shot attempts, 57.3 percent of expected goals, 57 percent of scoring chances, and 57 percent of high-danger chances during his 482:19 of ice time. They have also outscored their opposition during those minutes 32-13, and Chychrun is the lone player on the Caps to have seen more than 30 five-on-five goals go in with him over the boards.
Chychrun, born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, holds dual Canadian-American citizenship through his father, former NHL defenseman Jeff Chychrun. He played for Canada at the international junior level as an under-17 and under-18 player after USA Hockey blocked him from playing in the USHL as a 15-year-old.
That decision forced Chychrun to start his junior career in Canada with the Toronto Junior Canadiens and ultimately led him to represent his father’s nation.
“From then on out, I just felt like I was going to play for Canada,” Chychrun told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan in 2021. “Because they gave me the opportunity; they wanted me. It’s kind of crazy how it worked out. I was really excited to play in the U.S., hopefully play in the USHL, but it pretty much did a 180 and went the other way.”
Chychrun will face stiff competition for spots on Canada’s defense at the Olympics, with many of the names from their successful 4 Nations Face-Off roster looking to rejoin the roster.
Makar is expected to lead the blueline, joined by potential names like Chychrun, Devon Toews, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, Josh Morrissey, Thomas Harley, Colton Parayko, Drew Doughty, Evan Bouchard, Matthew Schaefer, Noah Dobson, Aaron Ekblad, Brandon Montour, Morgan Rielly, and MacKenzie Weegar.
Two other Capitals are expected to be in a fight for Canada’s roster, with Tom Wilson battling to grab one of the last forward spots, and goaltender Logan Thompson primed to pounce on one of three goaltending slots. Countries must submit their final 25-man rosters by December 31.
The men’s ice hockey tournament will start with preliminary games on February 11, with the gold-medal game scheduled for February 22.
