Ottawa Senators fans will take little comfort in defenceman Jakob Chychrun‘s response to a question about his long-term interest in the nation’s capital.
Chychrun, 26, has one more season remaining on his deal with the club, which will see him paid $4.6 million, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent.
“It’s a tough question. I mean I … I … I dunno,” Chychrun said in a halting manner on Thursday when asked about it during the team’s end-of-season player availability. “I mean I haven’t thought about … I honestly have not thought about that. I know I have one more year left and, like I said, there hasn’t even been talks of an extension or anything. So, I haven’t really gotten my head wrapped around that idea.
“So, it’s tough for me to sit here and act like I have.”
Chychrun was acquired by the Senators last season from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for three draft picks: a first in 2023 and a pair of second-rounders, in 2024 and 2026. Ottawa is now facing the prospect of him leaving if he cannot be extended before next summer.
The offensive defenceman played in all 82 games this season, matching his career-season high with 41 points (14 goals and 27 assists), but the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.
“Just gonna kind of take it day by day and see if and when we have those talks and go from there,” Chychrun said.
