Picked 12th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, Cam Fowler has become a staple for the Anaheim Ducks, playing all 974 games of his career with the franchise. In due time, he has grown to be quite synonymous with the identity of this team and secured an appearance in the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.
Cam Fowler has been one of the top players on the Ducks' blue line for years, averaging over 23 minutes per game as a top-pairing D-man for over a decade. He has truly become their franchise player.
It was evident from his rookie season that Cam Fowler would lead both on and off the ice by example. His love for the team was evident through his 14 active years in Anaheim. There is an idea floating around, though, as it often does with long-tenured players, that the wind appears to be blowing in a different direction now. As NHL insider Elliotte Friedman noted, the team has started to have discussions about potentially moving on from their longtime defenseman, with young, on-the-rise talent coming through their pipeline, such as Pavel Mintyukov, who is waiting in the wings to take that top left side spot.
Of course, the problem is Cam Fowler's contract. Fowler's signed through the 2025-26 season with a $6.5 million annual cap hit that's tough to move. He also has a 28-team no-trade list, which leaves only three teams that could take him in, however, we do not know the identity of who those three teams are.
The Ducks have some cap flexibility, and while Cam Fowler's cap hit is a little high, if they were to throw in any salary retention in a deal, that would really entice other teams to want to make a deal.
Despite the future being uncertain, Cam Fowler's contribution to the Ducks is legendary. Whether his jersey number one day joins the banners in the rafters of the Honda Center or not, his legacy with this team is secured forever. This next chapter in Anaheim's future will be one to keep an extremely close eye on, especially for Cam Fowler.
Source: MarkerzoneElliotte Friedman reveals Anaheim Ducks have placed franchise legend and NHL all-star on the trade block
Source: ESPNCam Fowler Stats
POLL | ||
6 SEPTEMBRE | 303 ANSWERS 1000-game first pairing defenseman placed on trade block per insider Elliotte Friedman Will the Anaheim Ducks trade Cam Fowler? | ||
Yes | 228 | 75.2 % |
No | 75 | 24.8 % |
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