The Slovak blueliner opens up about the relief of signing his extension with the Capitals, putting his injuries from last year behind him, his goals for 2023-24 and much more.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The long summer was a productive one for Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary.

Not only did he use the time to recovery from a handful of injuries that made last year difficult, but he signed a new contract, hit personal bests in fishing and got to push himself to new heights in training.

Now entering his third NHL season, the 23-year-old is ready to pack a punch as he looks to help the Capitals return to contending form.

"I'm feeling really, really, good," he said simply.

Fehervary had a bit of a rough go of it in his sophomore season. While he picked up six goals and 10 assists and still managed over 200 hits, the Slovak was limited to 67 games and reeling from the effects of injuries to his elbow, groin and back. He had a plus/minus rating of minus-11 and admitted that his ailments compromised his skating and play at times.

"It wasn't really big injuries, but it limited me, you know?" Fehervary said, noting that he passed up on skating for Slovakia in the IIHF World Championships in order to recover. "I've been working all summer about that, to prevent those kinds of injuries... I just wanted to focus for the season and just make sure I'm healthy and I am, which is really great."

Not only did injuries take their toll, but not having a contract beyond 2022-23 also lingered in Fehervary's mind at times, leaving the 6-foot-2, 199-pound defenseman second-guessing at times. So shortly after free agency opened, Fehervary and his camp got in touch with the Capitals to take care of that outstanding business.

He signed a three-year extension on July 4 that carries an AAV of $2.675 million and most importantly, gave him a sense of security and reassurance going into his junior year.

"It was really good and actually, just mentally, got the kind of relief," Fehervary said. "You always want to say, like, you don't wanna think about it during the contract year, but you still have it somewhere in your mind. I felt like I was a little bit, you know, kind of stressed, or like I was just thinking about it a little bit sometimes. I just feel awesome right now. That really helps me a lot... I love Washington."

So far at training camp, Fehervary has been showcasing his strength and skating, while also acclimating well to Mitch Love and Spencer Carbery's new systems. He has also maintained his hard-hitting style of play and is looking forward to continuing to play a physical role.

Still, the Capitals' hits leader from last season is looking to expand on his skill-set, and believes he has a lot more to bring to the table than his physicality.

"Overall, I'm trying to be better hockey player, and I think I can improve my offensive game," Fehervary noted. "You know, I'm still working on those details in the D-zone and just [getting] better offensively. I'm always wanting to work hard and get better and right now, we working on it and I build that confidence. You feel better on the ice and then you can do more stuff on the ice.

"I think I can get more [goals], and same with make the plays; I think I can get better. I'll try to work on it. Don't be just stay home and just defend. I want to be overall better hockey player."

Based on camp so far, Fehervary will likely to open the season playing on the second pairing alongside Nick Jensen. He is excited to take on that role again — and then some — as he and his fellow blueliners look to help Washington reach new heights in 2023-24.

"We just pushing each other," Fehervary said, adding, "It's NHL. Everyone wants to be here."