Capitals acquire D Jakob Chychrun from Ottawa for D Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick

In addition to a slew of signings, the Capitals made a big trade on Day 1 of 2024 NHL free agency, acquiring defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick.

Cychrun played all 82 games in his lone campaign in Ottawa last season and matched his career high of 41 points, notching 14 goals and 27 assists. Those totals led Senators defensemen in goals and points, and he was third on the team in average ice time (22:23) and second in blocked shots with 154.

For his career, the 2016 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) by Arizona has 76 goals, 140 assists, and 308 penalty minutes in 467 games with the Coyotes and Senators.

“Jakob is a 26-year-old offensive defenseman who has nearly 500 games of NHL experience," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in a team release. "His unique skill set and experience will undoubtedly bolster our blueline, substantially increasing our offensive capabilities.”

Jensen, 33, had one goal and 13 assists in 78 games in DC in 2023-24, and totaled 13 goals and 78 assists in 372 games with the Caps after being acquired from Detroit in February 2019. For his career, he has 19 goals, 115 assists, and a plus-17 rating in 562 games with the Red Wings and Capitals.

"We also want to thank Nick for his contributions to our organization and wish him all the best moving forward with his career,” MacLellan said in the release.