#12 Another player milestone in the form of Chych
Jakob Chychrun is the new guy in town and to begin the quarter century mark in the Caps first home game of the 2025 as he'll suit up for his 500th career game when the Capitals host the Minnesota Wild.
Once he does it, we're still working on this one and have no idea of the outcome of the contest, he will become the ninth player and the third defensemen from the 2016 NHL Draft to play in 500 career games. He was drafted 16th overall in round one by Arizona.
Chychrun was acquired from the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2024 for Nick Jensen and Washington's third round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. So far as we're writing this he's suited up in 32 contests with the Capitals.
Why are we including him in this evergreen? Just in case he gets his contract extended in the Chris Patrick era. The six foot two, 216 pound defenseman had his 11th goal of the season in Washington's 3-1 win over Boston on New Years Eve.
As we're working on this he's tied for the League lead in goals by a defenseman and leads all blue liners in goals per game at 0.34. In 32 games this season he has recorded 25 points with 11 goals and 14 assists. The 26 year old ranks first among Capitals defensemen so far this season in points, goals, game winning goals with three as well as a plus/minus of +17. He is also second in assists this season as of this writing behind Dylan Strome. So if Chychrun does get an extension be sure to come back here and thank slide number 12.