When another fruitless Anaheim Ducks season was near its woeful end, Cam Fowler could see where his future was headed with the only NHL team he’s ever played for.
Really, it wasn’t hard for the 32-year-old to visualize his place with the Ducks well before then. He’s been the focus of Anaheim’s back end for years, before Hampus Lindholm became a major piece, and especially in this lean period after they traded Lindholm. But the focal point soon will be Pavel Mintyukov or another of the Ducks’ emerging youngsters on the blue line.
“I understand that I’m on the second half of my career and these guys are just getting going,” Fowler told The Athletic. “Those are the people that are going to push this team to where they want to be.”
Those comments were all part of a chat in which Fowler acknowledged that his time with the Ducks could be entering a transitional phase and that a trade could be possible. Maybe that’s a plan both now are open to make happen.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported on his podcast that Fowler and the Ducks might work together on a new NHL home for the veteran defenseman. That’s noteworthy, but hardly surprising when you consider the context of where the Ducks and Fowler are at in their evolution. If there is an unexpected element, it’s that it became public as training camp opens next week.
It may have the appearance of Fowler asking for a trade, but it is more of a matter of both sides seeing if there is benefit to a move. Friedman noted that it is a “positive working environment” when it comes to Fowler and the Ducks working on a trade for the franchise’s all-time leading scorer among blueliners. Fowler has two years remaining on his contract, with a $6.5 million cap hit.
Assessing Fowler’s tenure and legacy with the Ducks can happen at another time. As to what he is now, Fowler is coming off a hard season in which he led the Ducks in ice time (24:25) but saw his possession numbers continue to sag, had a minus-36 rating at even strength and saw the Ducks outscored 74-37 in five-on-five goals when he was on the ice. His power-play usage ticked further downward and could plummet if any one of Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger or Tristan Luneau surfaces as Anaheim’s go-to quarterback.
But, as Friedman said, “Fowler has a lot of respect around the league. I think there will be interest.”
The four-team trade list written into Fowler’s contract gives him a good amount of say in joining a preferred team. It could also make him harder to move, but Fowler has expanded the list of teams to double digits, opening up more possibilities for trade discussions.
Why might the Ducks trade him?
Fowler’s best years likely are behind him, so the Ducks would be dealing him before his game further slides. His timeline as an impact player in his remaining seasons doesn’t line up with the years in which Anaheim should have its ascent as a contending team. Fowler’s last playoff game came in 2018 and it’s hard to bet that the Ducks will make what might need to be a 40-point jump in order to be a playoff team next spring.
With his contract now down to two seasons remaining, it might open a few more doors when it comes to interested parties. If the acquiring club is a contender, it could bring in an experienced minutes-eater who is still a terrific skater and effective puck-mover for two postseasons. He’d obviously be eager to return to that atmosphere. And the Ducks could trade him before his role is emphasized less, which could depress his ice time or statistical impact.
Mostly, the Ducks could officially clear the way for Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger to grow on the left side. After some impressive moments in his first season, Mintyukov is already a top-four piece who could anchor their top pairing. Zellweger would have the space to show that he can handle a sizable role at the NHL level. The same could be said for Jackson LaCombe, who was erratic as a rookie but shows promise as another good skater with some offensive instincts. It feels like it’s time to pass the torch.
When might they trade him?
Trading Fowler now would allow both parties to move forward. The Ducks could proceed with how they imagine their blue line for the next few seasons, and Fowler could get to know his new teammates and start to integrate with that club’s system. He’s savvy enough to pick things up at any time, but you’d imagine that having the chance to go through a training camp with his new team would help ease the transition away from an organization for which he has spent his entire pro career.
Trades shortly before the season don’t often occur, though. Teams have essentially concluded their offseason business and plugged players into spots on their depth charts. The Ducks could begin the year with Fowler and keep him around as an experienced hand, while they see what suitors may emerge if injuries occur or an upgrade is necessary. They could continue to build Fowler’s trade value and let Zellweger grow at a measured pace in his first full NHL season.
Fowler is due $7.5 million in 2024-25. While there is another $6.25 million to pay out in 2025-26, the acquiring team might only need to pay one-quarter of that $7.5 million this season, depending on how closely a theoretical trade would come to the deadline. There is his $6.5 million cap hit, but teams all know that obstacle, so nothing changes there unless the Ducks are willing to retain some of his contract. The Ducks usually only do that when trading pending UFAs, but they might have to consider using an available retention slot. (It’s also a similar situation with John Gibson.)
What teams could be interested?
Detroit jumps out, because Fowler was raised in suburban Farmington Hills and spends summers in the area. His first NHL game was at the old Joe Louis Arena. There’s a strong bet that the Red Wings are one of the teams he has on his trade list. It’s time for them to transition out of a long rebuild into a playoff team. While they’ve got cap space, the Red Wings still must get Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond signed. And there is a question about how much interest they really have in Fowler, as they’d like to move Simon Edvinsson into a full-time role.
Toronto is always trying to get over the hump, is always up against the cap and seemingly always trying to upgrade its defense. Even after signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Maple Leafs look like they could use another sure-fire top-four defender. Morgan Rielly and OEL already fit the profile of puck-movers, but perhaps sending back a salaried righty the Ducks could use — Timothy Liljegren — and California-born winger Nick Robertson could be part of a deal. And his family in Michigan would be just one hour away.
Winnipeg was a strong defensive team last season until it collapsed against Colorado in the playoffs. Connor Hellebuyck’s regular-season brilliance and defensive-minded former coach Rick Bowness’ system might have made the blue line better than it really was. Brenden Dillon left for New Jersey in free agency. If the Jets aren’t on Fowler’s trade list, would he open it further to include them, given they’re still in a contention window and he’d be committed to play there for just two more seasons?
Dallas has made Stanley Cup pushes and remains positioned to make deep runs this season and beyond. It is among the only contending teams that do have cap space. If Fowler were to accept a reduced role such as the one Ryan Suter recently performed for them, it’s possible he could an impact similar to the one that Ekman-Larsson had for champion Florida while similarly rejuvenating his career. Fowler would team with Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell to form a strong left side while Miro Heiskanen holds down the right.
(Photo of Cam Fowler: Darcy Finley / NHLI via Getty Images)
