Confirmed with Link: STL/ANA Cam Fowler, 2027 4th for 2027 2nd, Jeremie Biakabatuka

[DatDude44]

Lose at home to the Sharks and the thought is “yea this will get us all the way into the playoffs”. 2nd round picks should not be given away for nothing. Nor should cap space.

Question could we trade Fowler at the deadline?


1-you think entirely too highly of 2024 Cam Fowler

2-teams trying to compete don’t lose to the Sharks at home.

1- Maybe I do, but he’s been in a brutal situation for years, he’s a very capable top 4 D with smart puck moving ability. Thinking he won’t have some sort of resurgence is a bit short sighted imo. But who knows, his play will dictate which one of us is correct.

2- it’s the NHL, it literally happens every year.

 

[PocketNines]

Not sure why we needed to make this trade even with Leddy presumably out. Rather have the second. We continue to place value in near or washed vets to help in the short term for some reason.

They are looking at this season as an attempt to get into the playoffs. Armstrong isn't going to be GMing in 2027 he wants to win every game possible now. Montgomery getting 8 games to look at the defense there's no way he can believe in his LD. The 4M salary tells me this is an attempt to place Leddy directly. So they have Fowler and Suter instead of Leddy and Krug. The cost was dropping the 2d round pick down about 50 draft spots into the 4th in 2.5 years from now. If you're committed to trying to keep something on track then it's justifiable to pay that price.

 

[TheOrganist]

Not sure I fully grasp this one. With the Blues sending down Kessel is the plan to play him on the right side? I know he has played his off hand before.

As others have mentioned this likely means the end of the season for Leddy? Have to imagine next year we see Suter retire. If healthy do we run this defense?

Broberg - Parayko
Krug - Faulk
Leddy - Fowler

I know neither POJ or Perunovich have really solidified a spot but that is a lot of aging defense in the last year of their contracts next year.

Krug? He’s done as an NHL player. Leddy & Fowler will both be in their final years and won’t be hard to dispose of if they are injured or it doesn’t work out. This move doesn’t really hamstring anything for the future honestly.

 

[Mike C]

have you guys heard or read anything on whether fowler will play tonight?

 

[Louie the Blue]

I don’t see the issue with acquiring Fowler at $4M AAV. He’s the same age as Leddy and his contract expires when Leddy’s does.

This must mean Leddy is going to be out for a substantial period of time. And instead of jeopardizing the season as a fringe PO team or rushing defensemen who aren’t ready (which I think this move is a bigger hint at than anything else), they brought in someone who can be a stopgap both this season and next and keep the rebuild on track.

 

[PocketNines]

I just want to use this moment of Blues related scrutiny to make sure everyone remembers that during the last game Strickland gave the StrickNasty guarantee to a little girl with cancer that she is getting a pony.

Also promised her a white Christmas. Just, incredible

If there is no picture with him buying that pony, he should get openly heckled when he walks around at Blues games

 

[BadgersandBlues]

I think this is a solid trade. The Ducks have been such a disaster as an organization for so long that it's hard to predict what Fowler will look like out of that environment. The dude was clearly checked out for at least the last couple of years. If Fowler succeeds here you have to think John Gibson starts looking pretty juicy for a couple of teams that need goaltending *cough Avs cough*

Our current D-core has been a mess. Faulk looks terrible without Broberg, Suter can't handle 20+ minutes a night, Kessel and PO Joseph look totally overmatched even with completely sheltered minutes, PO Joseph especially. Peru has played reasonably well, but he can't defend at the NHL level and we didn't (Before this trade) have a strong enough partner for him on the third pairing to allow him to play the Vince Dunn type role - top pair PP with sheltered 3rd pair minutes he can win. Now we can slide Suter down and put Peru on his off-side.

I think Army was willing to try and tread water with our D-core until Leddy got back, but it looks like he's probably out pretty long term with this "setback" announced a couple days ago, and it's been no secret that Army has had talks with Anaheim about Fowler before. I think it's kinda weird we got a guy with an additional season, but who knows, we probably move either Fowler or Leddy this off-season depending on injury and all that.

I see our pairs shaking out like this:
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Peru
Joseph

That's certainly better then it was yesterday, and all for 50ish spots in the draft? It's not bad.

 

[TheOrganist]

I think this is a solid trade. The Ducks have been such a disaster as an organization for so long that it's hard to predict what Fowler will look like out of that environment. The dude was clearly checked out for at least the last couple of years.

Completely agree with this. It is hard to predict and seems like a worthwhile gamble because of that unknown. I was thinking about your post after the SJ game re: our defenseman in totality being fairly inept at escaping forecheck pressure and transitioning offense quickly up ice and then sustaining opportunities in the O-zone. I feel like that’s been a lot of the convo with Monty/Army in the early going of his tenure. The defense as currently constructed can’t play Monty’s game. Fowler isn’t what he once was but he still should be a plus retriever and puck mover…

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I think this is a solid trade. The Ducks have been such a disaster as an organization for so long that it's hard to predict what Fowler will look like out of that environment. The dude was clearly checked out for at least the last couple of years. If Fowler succeeds here you have to think John Gibson starts looking pretty juicy for a couple of teams that need goaltending *cough Avs cough*

Our current D-core has been a mess. Faulk looks terrible without Broberg, Suter can't handle 20+ minutes a night, Kessel and PO Joseph look totally overmatched even with completely sheltered minutes, PO Joseph especially. Peru has played reasonably well, but he can't defend at the NHL level and we didn't (Before this trade) have a strong enough partner for him on the third pairing to allow him to play the Vince Dunn type role - top pair PP with sheltered 3rd pair minutes he can win. Now we can slide Suter down and put Peru on his off-side.

I think Army was willing to try and tread water with our D-core until Leddy got back, but it looks like he's probably out pretty long term with this "setback" announced a couple days ago, and it's been no secret that Army has had talks with Anaheim about Fowler before. I think it's kinda weird we got a guy with an additional season, but who knows, we probably move either Fowler or Leddy this off-season depending on injury and all that.

I see our pairs shaking out like this:
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Peru
Joseph

That's certainly better then it was yesterday, and all for 50ish spots in the draft? It's not bad.

These are the exact pairings I was thinking of when I woke up to the news.

I like the move. Gotta think he gets revitalized getting out of that dumpster fire organization with one of the worst coaches in the NHL.

 

[Rybread86]

Im really expecting better things out of Fowler now that hes out of the mess Anaheim has created. One of the difficult things for Cam is for years hes been relied upon too heavily and made into Anaheims #1 guy, but you could tell it was just too much for him. Hes been asked to play 24+ minutes a game while our prospects were breaking in and it wore on him.

Youre getting an excellent skating Dman with some decent offensive touch. Do not expect him to be physical, like ever; its just not part of his game. You will see him avoid contact and thats what has driven a lot of fans nuts in Anaheim. Well that and since day 1 he was being compared to Scotty Niedermeyer and a lot of fans seemed to always take that out on Cam.

As long as hes not on your top pairing and eating crazy minutes, putting him as your 3/4 D should work out well. Id expect his game to loosen up a bit and play well for you guys.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

2-teams trying to compete don’t lose to the Sharks at home.

This year the Sharks have beat Devils, Kings, and Caps and all three are top 10 in the league this year.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Being one of four teams he’d accept a trade to looks good on our organization, fwiw.

 

[BlueMed]

Army stresses that part of the development process is giving the younger players the right environment to grow, and a key ingredient includes a competitive atmosphere where players learn how to play important games.

 

[TheDizee]

i dont like this trade at all. this team is not a cup contender, who cares about being a welfare fringe WC team.

giving away 2nd round picks for pointless deals like this is how we got stuck in the mess we are in.

fowler is fine but hes also 33, we don't need more schenn/krug-type contracts on this team

 

[BlueOil]

I like the gamble, he can take minutes and be more useful than some of the other options we have. the d core is bad outside of Parayko and he's probably insurance for moving on from Suter next season.

him playing top pairing might be shortlived but it improves the d core, even if only slightly

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I like the gamble, he can take minutes and be more useful than some of the other options we have. the d core is bad outside of Parayko and he's probably insurance for moving on from Suter next season.

him playing top pairing might be shortlived but it improves the d core, even if only slightly

Bad outside of Parayko? Did you forget that Broberg exists?

 

[Drubilly]

Army stresses that part of the development process is giving the younger players the right environment to grow, and a key ingredient includes a competitive atmosphere where players learn how to play important games.

He also said (checks notes)… Actuary. Tables.

 

[Baby Doaner]

That’s awesome. Cam is a good D man.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Sounds like Leddy may still Return at some point, maybe even soon, and Army just doesn't want Parayko, Broberg, Faulk, and (especially) Suter burnt out playing 20-30 minutes a night each. U

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

 

[Linkens Mastery]

With all the crazy I forgot there was a game tonight. Oooooops

 

[simon IC]

Fowler hasn’t been good this year, but I think he will look better on the Blues. He is still an elite level technical skater (not super fast, but fantastic on his edges). He is very elusive, allowing him to evade pressure when he has the time and space to move. He has decent offensive instincts and can play on your power play.

However, he can be frustrating to watch at times. He avoids contact more than any defenseman I’ve seen. His skating is good enough to get away with it sometimes, but it will annoy you. He also plays way too safe and cautious sometimes, even though his skating ability should afford him some room to take risks. And while his shot can be dangerous from the blue line, it’s not very hard and will get blocked at an above average rate.

(Sigh).

 

[simon IC]

I think this is a solid trade. The Ducks have been such a disaster as an organization for so long that it's hard to predict what Fowler will look like out of that environment. The dude was clearly checked out for at least the last couple of years. If Fowler succeeds here you have to think John Gibson starts looking pretty juicy for a couple of teams that need goaltending *cough Avs cough*

Our current D-core has been a mess. Faulk looks terrible without Broberg, Suter can't handle 20+ minutes a night, Kessel and PO Joseph look totally overmatched even with completely sheltered minutes, PO Joseph especially. Peru has played reasonably well, but he can't defend at the NHL level and we didn't (Before this trade) have a strong enough partner for him on the third pairing to allow him to play the Vince Dunn type role - top pair PP with sheltered 3rd pair minutes he can win. Now we can slide Suter down and put Peru on his off-side.

I think Army was willing to try and tread water with our D-core until Leddy got back, but it looks like he's probably out pretty long term with this "setback" announced a couple days ago, and it's been no secret that Army has had talks with Anaheim about Fowler before. I think it's kinda weird we got a guy with an additional season, but who knows, we probably move either Fowler or Leddy this off-season depending on injury and all that.

I see our pairs shaking out like this:
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Peru
Joseph

That's certainly better then it was yesterday, and all for 50ish spots in the draft? It's not bad.

That third pairing is a defensive train wreck.

 

[tomin]

Smart on blues. Continue to try to get in the playoffs and get that cash flow so they can spend it down the line.

Retool. Rebuild. Pejorative Slur. Who cares. The goal is to make the playoffs. Cash flow. Player experience. Maybe knock of a team or two. This cry baby no no no pathetic.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Cool! Help on D.