Confirmed Trade: [ANA/STL] Cam Fowler and 2027 4th round pick for 2027 2nd round pick and Jeremie Biakabutuka

[Brent Burns]

I remember watching Tim Biakabutuka play in the NFL 20 years ago. Didn't know his nephew was a hockey player.

Carolina Panthers, NFL Gameday 98

 

[Sol]

He probably misses playing meaningful hockey games. How long has it been in Anaheim?

Have you been to Newport Beach?

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Carolina Panthers, NFL Gameday 98

Great game.

Fun to rewatch that old intro and play “count the suspensions”

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Challenge. Who can spell faster Jeremie's surname?

His uncle was a great running back at Michigan and first round pick in the NFL. Always bothered me that like halfway thru his college career announcers decided saying his name (Tshimanga Biakabutuka) was too hard and just started calling him “Tim”

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

If you like soft, uninterested puck movers that don't skate well anymore, you will be pleased Blues fans.

At the cap hit he’s prob fine for what he is….

As long as they arnt hoping for a #1 or someone that knows how to play in the dzone

 

[Leonardo87]

I think he wanted out. Apparently the guys really despise the coach

He was supposed to go the Rangers in that Trouba deal. So it was just a matter of time. Moving Fowler needed to happen but the Ducks biggest issues is scoring, they are dead last in that.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

He was supposed to go the Rangers in that Trouba deal. So it was just a matter of time. Moving Fowler needed to happen but the Ducks biggest issues is scoring, they are dead last in that.

Ya unfortunately this trade didn’t help that issue

It is addition by subtraction defensively tho

 

[Linkens Mastery]

At the cap hit he’s prob fine for what he is….

As long as they arnt hoping for a #1 or someone that knows how to play in the dzone

Basically just need someone to eat minutes and get the puck out of the Zone. And maybe QB the 2nd PP

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Basically just need someone to eat minutes and get the puck out of the Zone. And maybe QB the 2nd PP

Which he should be able to accomplish…. I imagine he’ll have a bit more motivation away from Cronin…. And in a new situation.

I’m prob the biggest Fowler hater on ducks board…. But I think at that cap and what you paid asset wise…. Blues fans will be fine with the move overall

 

[MCB]

Grateful to cam for all the years, but trading him was needed. Good luck with the blues!

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Which he should be able to accomplish…. I imagine he’ll have a bit more motivation away from Cronin…. And in a new situation.

I’m prob the biggest Fowler hater on ducks board…. But I think at that cap and what you paid asset wise…. Blues fans will be fine with the move overall

Yeah at 4 mil for this and next year I'm not too worried. Basically another minute eating warm body (for lack of better term) that can keep us competitive while not blocking a younger player like Lindstein or Jiricek when they are ready in 2 years.

We're not going to win a cup in 2025 with a D core of Parayko, Broberg, Faulk, Fowler, Suter, and Leddy. 2017 I think they'd have a damn good chance tho.

Blues are definitely more worried about letting their prospects grow over the next few years and not rushing them.

 

[Reality Czech]

Have you been to Newport Beach?

I'm sure it's lovely but lots of ex players also choose to stay in the St. Louis area after they retire. It's not defined by the negative stereotype like some people seem to think.

These guys can travel anywhere they want during their summer break, so it's not like they need to be on the beach all year round. But yeah I'm sure it's pretty cool to live and play hockey in SoCal and few people would know that better than Fowler.

 

[Mike Liut]

Fowler will thrive playing next to Parayko. Seems like a perfect match

 

[Lunatik]

TIL Tim Biakabutuka's nephew is a hockey player.

 

[McGarnagle]

Is he related to Tim Biakabatuka?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Is he related to Tim Biakabatuka?

Tim is his uncle.

 

[Monsieur Miz]

Biakabutuka, 619! Biakabutuka, Rey Mysterio!

 

[cheesymc]

Verbeek got fleeced again… he hasn’t had many wins in free agency or trades, and can’t say he gets any credit for draft picks with Madden running the show.

Ducks are unwatchable now like the Angels until there is new management. I’m so envious of major market teams that do not accept mediocrity, and definitely ones that don’t accept being laughingstocks of their leagues like billionaire Samueli has…

 

[TK 421]

Yeah at 4 mil for this and next year I'm not too worried. Basically another minute eating warm body (for lack of better term) that can keep us competitive while not blocking a younger player like Lindstein or Jiricek when they are ready in 2 years.

We're not going to win a cup in 2025 with a D core of Parayko, Broberg, Faulk, Fowler, Suter, and Leddy. 2017 I think they'd have a damn good chance tho.

Blues are definitely more worried about letting their prospects grow over the next few years and not rushing them.

You mentioned both Lindstein and Jiricek as if they will arrive at a similar time but Lindstein will be in STL well before Jiricek. I understand your overall point that internal help on defense is still a ways off but the trajectories are different enough to separate the two.

Theo Lindstein will come over for prospect camp in summer '25 but unlike the previous two seasons he'll be back in the fall for training camp. My guess is less than 40 games with Konowalchuk, Modry and Chad the Wise with Springfield then up to the Blues for 3rd pair minutes in the 2nd half of the '25-'26 season. I'm currently holding my breath waiting to see if Jiricek can string 4-5 injury free games together.

 

[LuLover96]

So... what happens next season when Krug returns? Blues have him, Fowler and Broberg on the left side, and I'm not sure any of them are that great on their off sides. Is Broberg bottom pair next year?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

You mentioned both Lindstein and Jiricek as if they will arrive at a similar time but Lindstein will be in STL well before Jiricek. I understand your overall point that internal help on defense is still a ways off but the trajectories are different enough to separate the two.

Theo Lindstein will come over for prospect camp in summer '25 but unlike the previous two seasons he'll be back in the fall for training camp. My guess is less than 40 games with Konowalchuk, Modry and Chad the Wise with Springfield then up to the Blues for 3rd pair minutes in the 2nd half of the '25-'26 season. I'm currently holding my breath waiting to see if Jiricek can string 4-5 injury free games together.

Fair. I was more pointing at the concept of it and name dropped our two first round draft picks as examples. I definitely believe Lindstein is going to be in the NHL much sooner than Jiricek, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Loof or Buchinger in the NHL before him either.

So... what happens next season when Krug returns? Blues have him, Fowler and Broberg on the left side, and I'm not sure any of them are that great on their off sides. Is Broberg bottom pair next year?

Most Blues fans don't expect to see him back on the ice. The surgery he had has been talked about as a possible career ender.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Ducks should be able to roll those pairings fairly evenly at 5on5. Three balanced pairs is the best you can get with no established top pair.

 

[Reality Czech]

Is he related to Tim Biakabatuka?

How many Biakabutukas do you think there are?

 

[Terry Yake]

Ducks should be able to roll those pairings fairly evenly at 5on5

as expected. having lacombe/zellwegger/mintyukov alternate as healthy scratches was not a good thing

 

[FiveTacos]

as expected. having lacombe/zellwegger/mintyukov alternate as healthy scratches was not a good thing

And even before that, having Lacombe or Zellweger forced to their off side was less than ideal (albeit Zellweger handled it pretty well for a young dman).

Once Dumoulin is gone, Helleson will also be playing regularly, which he clearly seems ready for. He's been a very nice surprise this year, and looks like a nice return from the Manson trade.