Caps’ Fehervary bringing the hits as he heads into Year 2 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
ARLINGTON, Va. — Martin Fehervary has played three games this preseason heading into Saturday’s exhibition finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and in all three games he has led both teams in hits.
The 23-year-old has compiled 24 hits, tied with Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Cotter for the most in the NHL this preseason. However, Cotter needed five games to reach that mark while Fehervary got there in three.
After leading the Capitals with 251 hits as a rookie last season — and ranking seventh in the league — Fehervary hasn’t toned down his physical play in the preseason.
“That’s one of the things I’m [doing] a lot, playing hard,” Fehervary said at morning skate Saturday. “It’s not always the big hits but take away that player from the pack or be that type of player you don’t want to play against. So I’m just always trying to do my job and play hard.”
He did his job well enough last year to earn a spot on the Capitals’ top blue line pairing alongside the veteran John Carlson. Fehervary had to prove himself to get there, but once he did he turned in a strong season that saw him earn a down-ballot vote for the Calder Trophy.
Now, the Slovakian native is looking to take a step forward in Year 2.
“Probably offensively,” Fehervary said of the side of his game he needs to improve the most. “My priority is always still to be 100 percent sure on defense, make those things right. That’s my priority [and] job on the team so I’m focusing on that especially. But the offensive part of my game could be better.”
Fehervary tallied eight goals and nine assists on 96 shots in 79 games for the Capitals last season. As a prospect, he was never a prolific goal scorer. He did show some greater offensive potential with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, putting up 31 points in 80 games across two seasons before reaching the NHL for good. But his physicality and defensive attributes are what got him to Washington.
As he looks to take the next step in his career — ahead of an offseason that will see him become a restricted free agent — Fehervary is leaning on his best traits even when the games aren’t counting toward the standings.