When searching for defensive targets this summer, we need to look at teams with excess pieces who may be willing to move a defender for a piece somewhere else. The Anaheim Ducks are one of those teams, they have a plethora of defenders and continue to look for scoring solutions.
These two may be in the same division, but they match so well when it comes to making a swap. Anaheim was rumored to be interested in Benoit Pouliot and Nail Yakupov prior to the deadline, and we’ve heard about Edmonton liking Sami Vatanen. Cam Fowler is another option that Anaheim may be willing to move this summer.
Why Is He Out There?:
When I wrote about Sami Vatanen as an option, I wrote the following about why he is potentially on the market, it applies to Cam Fowler’s possible availability as well.
The Ducks are a budget team and have a plethora of defenders on their roster. Clayton Stoner and Kevin Bieksa will both be back on expensive deals. The team has to re-sign top option Hampus Lindholm and that will not be cheap.
Simon Despres, Josh Manson and Shea Theodore are all strong young options that the Ducks are looking to get into the lineup as well, especially Manson and Theodore. I’m no math expert, but that is too many defenders for six lineup spots.
What Does He Do Well?:
Cam Fowler has some really good traits to him. He’s a big player, standing in at 6’1” and 211 pounds, and he can play a physical game. He’s not a bruising defender, but he can hang with the big boys and is willing to take a hit and dish one out. Even though he is bigger, his scouting report reads that he is quite mobile and is a strong skater. You can see that when you watch him play the game.
That skating ability and mobility allows him to join in on the rush and impact the play offensively. He’s a strong puck mover and also possesses the ability to carry the puck up ice. Fowler also possesses a strong shot and can play on the power play, a role he has had for a few years in Anaheim.
This season, he played top-four minutes (22:46 per game) and posted a decent point total, going 5-23-28 in 69 games. He’s likely not a top-pairing option, but Fowler’s offensive ability makes him a strong number three or four defender.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play?:
Cam Fowler is a left-shot defender and almost exclusively plays on that side of the ice. So, if Edmonton acquired the player, he would slide in on the second pairing behind Oscar Klefbom, who is a better all-around defender and better suited to the role.
In reality, that is exactly where Fowler should play. He’s more of a number three or four defender and, as a result, should be playing second pairing minutes. For the role I assume he would fill, he’d be a solid fit and wouldn’t be playing over his head.
What Will He Cost?:
I can’t see Fowler garnering the return other options might, but he’s a top-four defender and there is a very limited amount of those available this summer. Would Benoit Pouliot and Nail Yakupov, my proposed deal for Sami Vatanen, get this deal done? Would Yakupov and maybe a second round pick do it? I’m not sure, it feels like the actual value falls somewhere in between.
Closing Argument:
If Edmonton decides this off-season that they can only get one right-shot defender, then adding another lefty and moving Andrej Sekera to the right makes some sense. There are few lefties that I would do this for, but Cam Fowler may be one of them. He’s been successful in the Western Conference, can move the puck, is young and is still developing.
The Oilers may be able to get him for less than what his actual value is for too, depending on the market this June. He’s certainly not the top option, but Cam Fowler is a realistic option that would still help the Edmonton Oilers.
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