5 Anaheim Ducks Who Need to Perform

3.) Cam Fowler

Apr 9, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman

(4) during the game against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When Cam Fowler fell to the Ducks in the 2010 Draft Ducks fans rejoiced. Fowler could have gone Top 5 and probably should’ve been Top 10 but good with him still on the board at 12 the Ducks couldn’t pass him up. Fowler skating ability and offensive ability are off the charts but how he plays in his own zone was the area that needed to be improved upon. Fowler had an exceptional rookie season picking up 40 points but was a minus 25.

The next couple seasons Fowler remained in the minus but his offensive game fell off a little as well making some fans wonder if he was cut out to be a top 4 defensemen. However it looks like the development is coming around. This past season Fowler finished just 4 points under his career high in points and was a +15. Fowler found his offensive game as well as became a great defender in his own end. This trend needs to continue for the Ducks.

Although Fowler is still young and there are older defensemen on the team, the D-corps follows Fowler. He is the one the rest of the defense follows and they will go as he goes. He needs to continue his ascension. That means more points and an even higher plus/minus. Fowler can be an All-Star and a leader he must be for the Ducks. If he can do that it will take some heat of the young goaltending duo the Ducks will employ, get puck out of the defensive zone faster, and will lead to more goals and hopefully help a power-play that was streaky at best last season.