Washington Capitals: Top 3 storylines heading into the preseason
#1 A final spot on the defense
Michal Kempny will return this season after missing all of last season with an Achilles tendon injury. From 2017-18 to 2019-20, Kempny averaged 5.18 blocked shots per 60 minutes of play, tied for third most on the Caps.
Both defensemen Martin Fehervary and Alexander Alexeyev are also vying for that final roster spot on the team. Fehervary recorded 14 points in 56 games with the Hershey Bears in 2019-20 with four goals and 10 assists. He surpassed his rookie total in 32 fewer games in 2021, finishing the season with 17 points with three goals and 14 assists in 24 games, ranking second among Hershey defensemen. Fehervary also ranked third on the team in assists, tied for sixth in points, and fifth in plus/minus with a plus 10.
Washington picks Martin Fehervary (2nd Round, 46th Overall) and Kody Clark (2nd Round, 47th Overall)! #ALLCAPS #CapsDraft pic.twitter.com/5TGbYksN6K
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 23, 2018
While Kempny and Fehervary are expected to battle for that final spot don’t count out Alex Alexeyev. He began the 2020-21 season on loan to Slavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL. He appeared in 55 of their 60 regular season games, tied for the most among the team’s defensemen. His 16 points with eight goals and eight assists ranked second on the team among defensemen and his 17:52 minutes of ice time per game ranked third. He was named the KHL’s Rookie of the Month for January.
Must Read. Washington Capitals: Breaking down first preseason game against the Bruins. light
The Caps first preseason game is tonight at 5 p.m. against the Boston Bruins.