Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: 25th Anniversary All-Decade Teams, The 2010’s

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Anaheim Ducks Winger Rickard Rakell (67) is lifted into the air by Anaheim Ducks Center Ryan Getzlaf (15) after scoring their second goal of the game in the second period during game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks on April 13, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Anaheim Ducks Winger Rickard Rakell (67) is lifted into the air by Anaheim Ducks Center Ryan Getzlaf (15) after scoring their second goal of the game in the second period during game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks on April 13, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Defensemen- Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm

Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA – March 02: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler with the puck in the third period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets played on March 2, 2018, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With all the defenseman that have played for the Ducks from 2010 to now, its hard to argue against these two being the best. Cam Fowler fell to the Ducks at 12 in 2010 and there should be a number of teams kicking themselves for that. Hampus Lindholm the Ducks plucked at number six in the 2012 draft. Both have played like top end talent ever since they touched the ice in Anaheim.

I think the Ducks were shocked that Cam Fowler was still sitting there when they picked at 12. How could they pass him up? Incredible skater, offensive prowess, and a teenager when he would be coming into the league. While he went through his growing pains period, he was mentored by none other than Scott Niedermayer. The Ducks have one of the top 30 d-men in the league and one of the best ever to wear the Webbed D.

This could be a career stat year for Fowler, as it stands he has played 561 games and put together a line of 53-196-249. If Fowler stays healthy he will pass both Ruslan Salei and newly retired Francois Beauchemin for most games by a Ducks d-man. With just 16 more points he will pass Scott Niedermayer for the most by a Ducks defenseman. To get those points his goals and assist totals will also move him to tops all-time.

Fowler could achieve all these Ducks records and he is only 26. Fowler still has 10+ years left in him and could also be the Ducks captain down the road when Ryan Getzlaf calls it a career. The only thing Fowler needs to add to his resume is a Stanley Cup and he has the skills himself and the skill to lead his D-core to get it.

Hampus Lindholm is no slouch either. The big Swede has brought it all to the Honda Center ice. He can score, escape his zone, make a great first pass and is tough in his own zone. He is arguably the 1B to Fowler’s 1A. Being able to play them on different pairs only spreads the wealth on defense. Defensively especially there is a case Lindholm is the better defensemen but Fowler has it in the offensive category.

Currently, Lindholm sits at 371 games played with a 42-101-143 stat line. His goal total has him fifth all-time among Ducks defensemen with his assists. Points and games played totals rank him sixth. With a good year, he could vault all of those numbers to fourth all-time. It will be him and Fowler that continue to destroy the Ducks record books.

Lindholm and Fowler will be leading the Ducks defense core for the next decade and they have the tools and leadership ability to bring a second Cup to Anaheim. They will finally get the chance this season to lead the group with no “veterans” brought in as they are the veterans. The two need to take their chance and run with it.

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