While the Washington Capitals are trying to secure a new extension for goaltender Logan Thompson within the next few weeks, they’re reportedly going to wait a little longer to try and get defenseman Jakob Chychrun locked up.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Capitals want more concrete information on what the NHL’s salary cap will look like moving forward. Chychrun is in the final year of his contract and scheduled for unrestricted free agency next summer.
“I’m really curious about a couple of these teams – Washington, I spent a lot of time talking about them with someone on the weekend because they’ve had a great year,” Friedman said. “You think about it, they’re talking to Thompson right now, I think they’re talking to Lindgren right now. I think Chychrun they’re waiting for some salary cap information before they go there. As good as Washington has been this year, depending on who they think they can sign, it’s a real go-for-it year for them.”
Chychrun is making $4.6 million against the salary cap this year. He will be due a significant raise if Washington wishes to keep him in their group long-term. The 26-year-old rearguard has delivered 32 points (13g, 19a) in his first 44 games for the Capitals.
Many NHL teams are likely waiting for more clarity on the salary cap ahead of this year’s trade deadline, especially as rumors are flying about a potential massive increase next summer. Allan Walsh, a well-known pro hockey agent with 28 active clients, recently stated his belief that the cap will jump from $88 million to $97 million as soon as the 2024-25 campaign is over.
Per updated AFP Analytics projections, Chychrun’s next contract is slotted to be a seven-year, $53.17 million deal ($7.6M AAV) with the current NHL salary cap estimations for next season ($92.5M). The player valuation outlet gives Noah Hanifin’s eight-year, $58.8 million contract ($7.35M AAV) that he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights last April as the most recent comparable for Chychrun’s upcoming negotiations.
Monday’s words from Friedman come two weeks after Chychrun positively commented on signing with the Capitals long-term. He remarked that he has found his offensive style to be an instant fit with head coach Spencer Carbery’s faster, more open system.
The Capitals hold exclusive negotiation rights with Chychrun through June 30. They can sign him to a maximum eight-year extension with those rights, while he’d only be eligible to sign at most a seven-year deal with another team in unrestricted free agency.
