Former Caps forward Eric Fehr makes his return to Verizon Center tonight when the Winnipeg Jets visit Verizon Center. The July trade that sent Fehr away was difficult to take – but also tempered because he was returning to his hometown team, which just happened to be making its return to the NHL after the organization moved from Atlanta.
Fehr got a chance to catch up with old friends last week when the two teams met in Winnipeg, a 4-1 Jets victory. His two goals in the Winter Classic alone last January should be worth an ovation or three from the Verizon Center faithful.
“I really don’t know what to expect today,” Fehr said. “It’ll be interesting to see what happens.”
Fehr was drafted by the Caps in the first round of the 2003 draft and played 230 games with Washington. He also won a Calder Cup while playing for Bruce Boudreau at AHL Hershey. All business tonight, though, as Winnipeg tries to extend an impressive three-game winning streak. The Jets started 5-9-3 as they adjusted to their new home and the pressures that come with playing in a Canadian city.
“I think the team was a little bit nervous to start with the relocation,” Fehr said. “I think we tried playing a game that we weren’t comfortable with to try to impress the fans or whatever it was. But I think we’ve fallen in to the team we need to be – we need to keep things simple, and we can’t play run-and-gun hockey, and I think we’ve figured that out.”
Fehr, of course, wasn’t part of those early struggles. Yet another shoulder surgery over the summer kept him out of the lineup until Nov. 19. In his first game of the season Fehr played 7 minutes, 6 seconds. Not much to show for it. No points on three shots on goal and no hits or penalty minutes. He’s still easing his way back into it. But there’s no question the opportunity is there for Fehr to earn some significant playing time in Winnipeg – maybe even on the power play or as a top-six player at even strength.
“It was a long road back from the surgery,” Fehr said. “It look a little bit longer than I wanted, but I’m feeling good right now and just happy to be part of the team right now.”
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