ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a decisive move, the Ducks have traded veteran defenseman Cam Fowler to the St. Louis Blues, bringing an end to his illustrious 15-year career in Anaheim on Saturday.
As part of the trade, the Blues exchanged a second-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft and minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka for Fowler, a prominent player known for being the all-time leading scoring defenseman in Ducks history, alongside a fourth-round pick in 2027.
Fowler, who was drafted by Anaheim in the first round of the 2010 draft, has amassed an impressive 457 points during his time with the Ducks, which he began as a teenager. He holds franchise records among defensemen for career goals at 96, assists at 361, and games played at 991.
The Ducks agreed to retain approximately 38.5% of Fowler’s contract, which is valued at a $6.5 million cap hit, extending through the 2025-26 season.
So far this season, the 33-year-old player has been somewhat underwhelming, with no goals and four assists over 17 games. He returned to play in early December after recuperating from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for a month.
In light of the trade, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek expressed that after several discussions with Fowler, it was apparent that a change was necessary for both parties. “Cam executed the process with professionalism and remained dedicated to the Ducks,” Verbeek noted. He extended well wishes to Fowler and his family for their future endeavors.
Fowler’s presence on the Ducks’ roster has been notable, only surpassed by Ryan Getzlaf in terms of games played for the team. He played a significant role in the Ducks’ successes during a period that saw them achieve five consecutive Pacific Division titles and reach the Western Conference finals twice between 2013 and 2017. At just 18 years old, Fowler made his mark on the Ducks’ blue line, famously receiving support from former Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer’s family early in his NHL career.
The Ducks have been struggling, failing to qualify for the playoffs since 2018, and currently hold the last spot in the Pacific Division with a record of 10-14-4, having lost five consecutive games as of their matchup against Columbus.
Despite his contributions throughout his tenure, Fowler participated in just one All-Star game during the 2016-17 season, and his offensive output occasionally faced setbacks due to defensive errors. He appeared to be a prime candidate for the Ducks’ captaincy following Getzlaf’s retirement in 2022; however, Verbeek chose to forgo naming a captain for two seasons instead.
“This was not an easy trade, especially when considering Cam’s significance to our organization,” Verbeek remarked. “He has served as a valuable and esteemed member of our team for 15 years, representing the Ducks with unparalleled class. His character and impact on and off the ice will undoubtedly resonate positively with our fans and community.”
To strengthen their defense, the Ducks recently acquired Rangers captain Jacob Trouba in a trade. The team is also bolstered by promising young defensemen like Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and Jackson LaCombe, alongside veterans Brian Dumoulin and Radko Gudas, who currently serves as captain.
On the other hand, Fowler will join a Blues team looking to return to the postseason, as they have shown potential with a 5-2-1 record under new coach Jim Montgomery. St. Louis has missed out on the playoffs for the past two seasons.
Jeremie Biakabutuka, the 22-year-old defenseman acquired by the Ducks, has played five games in the AHL for the Blues, who recently signed him in July 2023. He is related to former NFL running back Tim Biakabutuka.