Anaheim Ducks Final Grades: Cam Fowler Evaluation

Time For Another End of Year Player Evaluation and Grade. As I Continue To Evaluate The Defense, Next Up Is…..

Cam Fowler

When Cam Fowler fell to number 12 in the 2010 NHL draft, the Anaheim Ducks knew they had to take the young American defensemen from the Windsor Spitfires. The Ducks wasted no time and gave Fowler a roster spot right away as the 18 year old played 76 games during his rookie season in 2010-2011.

Fast forward to 2015 and Fowler is now a 23 year old blue-liner with 5 years of NHL experience. Fowler played 80 games this year and put up similar numbers to last season, 7 goals 27 assists and 34 points. His production this season shows that Fowler may not turn into the outstanding Scott Niedermayer type of offensive defensemen that the Ducks thought he could be, but none the less, Fowler showed that he is a solid top four defensemen with incredible skating abilities. This season was similar to last year for Fowler in a number of ways and Ducks GM Bob Murray and coach Bruce Boudreau probably have a good idea of what type of player Fowler is going to be for them next season.

Highlights

The best part of Cam Fowler’s season was his versatility, he did a little bit of everything. He was second on the Ducks in total ice time while also placing second amongst Ducks defensemen in total ice time on both the power play and penalty kill. Fowler’s stats might not be a telling tale due to his former defensive partner Ben Lovejoy being injured for the first half of the season. The Ducks swapped Lovejoy for another young great skating defensemen at the trade deadline, Simon Despres and Boudreau immediately placed Fowler with Despres. The two had instant chemistry and Fowler’s game seemed to improve while playing alongside Despres.

Anaheim Ducks

Fowler progressed on the power play throughout the season and seemed to be gaining more and more confidence with the puck during the later stages of the regular season and into the playoffs. He did not produce an astounding point total this season, but he came through when it mattered most. Fowler’s incredible skating ability made him a key asset in the 4 on 4 overtime period. Here is a video of his lone overtime goal this season. Fowler placed second on the Ducks in overtime points with 4 during the regular season. Fowler may not turn into a stud top pairing defensemen, but this season showed he is capable of contributing in every situation and his unique skating ability makes him a threat when he has open ice to work with. Fowler had another solid season and fans should be excited to see what he and Simon Despres will be able to do with a full season together in 2015-2016.

Room For Improvement

Cam Fowler continues to mature and gain confidence each season and it is helping him use his skating ability to his advantage. While he was forced to play with some young defensive partners during the Ducks crazy injury plagued season, there was one area that Fowler continues to struggle in. Fowler gave the puck away 52 times during the regular season and he is known for some costly turnovers. There were a number of times throughout the regular season when Fowler made a careless play with the puck that instantly and directly led to opposing goals.

(More Anaheim Ducks Grades, Rickard Rakell)

With Fowler entering his 6th NHL season, he will need to sharpen up his game and make better decisions with the puck. Playing with Simon Despres for a full season should help him in the turnover category as a player with Cam’s skating ability should not be a defensive liability due to turnovers. This is obviously the major area of concern but it is quite possible that Fowler was not exceling next to Ben Lovejoy and he may of found a better defensive partner in Despres. I would not be surprised if Fowler puts up 40-45 points next season and sharpens up his game by eliminating those costly turnovers. Despres is a great skater as well and Fowler could excel next season because of it.