NHL training camps are set to begin later this month and players league-wide have already begun unofficial skates with teammates.
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As players check in with their teams, early reports are coming out of camps across the league and the Anaheim Ducks are no exception.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast that the Ducks and defenseman Cam Fowler have discussed Fowler’s future with the organization and even the possibility of a trade.
“I believe Cam Fowler and the Anaheim Ducks are working on what his future could look like,” Friedman said. “I don’t think this is a negative. I believe the player and the team are working together on this.”
Fowler (32) has two years left on his contract that carries an AAV of $6.5 million and a no-trade clause that limits the teams to which he can accept a trade to four.
“What I’ve heard is that Fowler has indicated a willingness to talk to more teams than that and consider more teams than that,” Freidman added. “Fowler has a lot of respect around the league. There will be interest. I don’t think anybody will be surprised if some time this season Cam Fowler is elsewhere.”
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Fowler has been the bedrock of the Ducks blueline for over a decade and over the past three seasons has played in at least 76 games per year, scored at least 39 points, and averaged well over 24 minutes per game.
In 2023-24 Fowler played 81 games, scoring 39 points and averaged 24:25 TOI.
2023-24 was also a year of transition for the Ducks. Along with a new head coach, Greg Cronin, the roster infused a substantial amount of young talent, especially on their blueline.
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Pavel Mintyukov (20) and Jackson LaCombe (23) both made the Ducks’ opening night roster and remained in the NHL for the entirety of the season. Olen Zellweger (20) was called up from the AHL to the NHL for the majority of the second half of the 2023-24 season.
“Eventually, what you’ve got to start doing is saying, ‘You know what, Cam, we have to start taking away some of your ice time so that these other players can learn what it’s like to start playing in these important situations,'” Friedman suggested.
Fowler is third on the Ducks all-time list in terms of games played for the club with 974, just behind Corey Perry (988) and Ryan Getzlaf (1157). He’s the Ducks all-time leader among defensemen in goals (96), assists (357), and points (453).
He was drafted by Anaheim with the 12th overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, made the Ducks’ 2010-11 roster, and has played each of the following 14 seasons with the team.
He’s appeared in 62 playoff games for the Ducks, including two trips to the Western Conference Final and scoring 33 points. He also represented the United States at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Fowler has worn an “A” on his jersey for the past four seasons in Anaheim.
This report comes as a bit of a surprise considering Fowler’s contract and longevity in Anaheim. Seeing him in another team’s jersey would certainly be jarring for fans across the league.
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