New York Rangers Pacific Division Trade Targets

Anaheim Ducks – Cam Fowler

The Anaheim Ducks have a glut of young defensemen that are ripe for the picking. Since last season, there have been rumors of the Rangers and Ducks engaging in a trade to send a Rangers forward for a Ducks defenseman. If the Rangers trade for any Duck’s defenseman, it should be Cam Fowler.

Of the Ducks defensemen, Fowler is the best for his price. At $4 million per season, the 25-year-old workhorse can quarterback the powerplay and score at even strength. In 494 career games, Fowler has scored 45 goals and added 172 assists for 217 points. Of the 217 points, 96 came on the power play.

Fowler has been linked to the Rangers in the past. Last offseason, the Ducks were in a more dire need for scoring help. Once again, that appears to be the case as the expansion draft is going to strip Anaheim of scoring forwards if they don’t deal a defenseman.

The Rangers, if they chose to pursue Fowler, would not only have to give up a forward but would likely have to give up on re-signing Brendan Smith as well. Fowler’s $4 million cap hit is reasonable, but the Rangers would likely deal a forward with a lesser cap hit for Fowler, such as J.T. Miller. Smith is projected to fetch around $4 million per season this offseason, but Fowler has more upside at the price than Smith.

If the Rangers chose to trade for a defenseman, the Ducks will answer. Their backs are against the wall with the upcoming expansion draft, and they’ll do anything to get out of it.