I don't know if I'd say Cam always has a guy in front of him blocking shots. I'd say Cam eventually has a guy blocking shots. Fowler has a ton of time on the blueline where he just kinda stays stagnant looking for a pass, eventually will either take a weak shot that goes into the goalies pads or into the d-mans skates and the play ends there. The isn't totally on Cam as the forwards need to get open too but I don't see the reluctance in switching things up.
Fowler had 2 powerplay goals all year, 18 powerplay points, was top 10 in powerplay shifts for d-man, he had 60 shot attempts and most of the possession on the ducks powerplay went through him. Basically what i'm getting at, his powerplay work isn't all that impressive when you consider the spot hes in. Minty had 7 powerplay points with 66 mins less than Fowler on the powerplay and not being in nearly as good as a spot as Fowler (always starting with the number 1 pp unit, always starting in the O zone, ect). I'm not even saying put Minty in that spot, hell put a forward with a hell of a shot on the blueline but I don't see the upside in keeping Fowler in that role. The powerplay has been terrible all 5 of those years and hes not really putting up big numbers. Hell Tony Deangelo has similar PP numbers in the past 3 years and he isn't even in the league anymore and was healthy scratched when he was.
I think it would be better to use others on the PP. Terry, Minty, Leo, McTavish, Zegras, Cutter, Zellweger should all be seeing regular powerplay time, no risk in playing those players in that role. Giving the youth chances to play in the opposing zone and put up numbers is exactly what you want for your young kids. Get them confidence for they can score at this level. Then you have Vatrano who put up 37 goals and Killorn who is making big bucks, to put up big numbers. I don't see where the need for Fowler is. We also have Lacombe who has an offensive upside that really hasn't been given a chance to show and we really have never given Lundy much of a go on the PP to see what we have. With all that in mind, I just don't see the point in keeping Fowler on the PP. Hes an old 32 (947 games played) and the Ducks need to get the youth going.
Fowler is a quality nhl player. I just don't see why the Ducks need to keep him. The argument that the d-core isn't strong enough to play his mins is fair but also by keeping Fowler you are guaranteeing that one of them is either scratched or sent to the AHL which has its own share of risks.
