Blues acquire defenseman Cam Fowler from Ducks in trade

Matthew DeFranks, St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Dec 14, 2024

Published in Hockey

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ST. LOUIS — The Blues picked up another veteran defenseman on Saturday, trading for left-hander Cam Fowler from the Ducks.

In addition to Fowler, the Blues received a 2027 fourth-rounder in the deal that sent a 2027 second-rounder and minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka back to Anaheim. The Ducks are also retaining 38.4615385% of Fowler's $6.5 million cap hit through the end of next season, meaning Fowler will count exactly $4 million on the Blues cap.

Fowler, 33, had reportedly been looking for a move out of Anaheim, where he's played all 991 games in his 15-year NHL career. This year, Fowler has four assists in 17 games. He recently missed about a month due to an upper-body injury.

The Blues expect Fowler to be on the ice for them Saturday in Dallas. He was able to travel from Columbus, Ohio, to Dallas ahead of that night's game against the Stars. Coach Jim Montgomery said he and his coaches were still discussing the best pairing for Fowler but mused that he would see time with Colton Parayko.

The move was necessary to alleviate the workload on Parayko and others.

"I think we were taxing a small number of players too much," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said ahead of the team's morning skate in Dallas. "I felt it was the right time to support this group."

Fowler's addition is another piece of an already crowded blue line, and draws into question the status of Nick Leddy. Leddy has not played since Oct. 15 due to a lower-body injury, and was sent home from the team's most recent trip to receive more testing in St. Louis. Fowler's cap hit in St. Louis will mirror Leddy's $4 million hit that's on the books through next season.

As a corresponding move, the Blues sent Matthew Kessel down to AHL affiliate Springfield. Had Kessel played three more NHL games, he would have required waivers to be sent to the AHL.

In adding Fowler, the Blues have one of the older blue lines in the league with Ryan Suter (39), Fowler (33), Justin Faulk (32) and Colton Parayko (31). Philip Broberg (23) is the only regular under 25 years old.

Down the Blues' defensive lineup, it could be tougher for players like Scott Perunovich and Pierre-Olivier Joseph to secure permanent spots in the lineup. Both players have already been frequent recent healthy scratches once Broberg returned to the lineup, and will now have to compete with Fowler for playing time on the left side.

Fowler's acquisition also signals that the Blues will be aggressive in their pursuit of a return to the postseason this season. St. Louis has missed out in each of the last two seasons, and is willing to add a high-priced piece on the back end (even as Leddy insurance) to make a run this year.

Biakabutuka was an undrafted free-agent signing after a decent showing a Blues development camp in 2023. In the last two seasons, the defenseman played 76 ECHL games and two AHL games in the Blues organization.

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Staff writer Derrick Goold contributed to this report from Dallas.