Anaheim Ducks reportedly working on two major trades per insider Elliotte Friedman

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Samer Dagher
September 7, 2024 (6:44 PM)

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Photo credit: The Hockey News

The Anaheim Ducks are working on not one but two major trades according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman from his latest 32 Thoughts podcast.

Trade rumors in the NHL are common, but it's rare for two big rumors to come from one team. That's the situation with the Anaheim Ducks, who are reportedly working on significant trades involving defenseman Cam Fowler and goaltender John Gibson.

On a recent episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared details about these potential moves. Both Fowler and Gibson have been with the Ducks for several years, but according to Friedman, that could soon change.

"There is something going on here," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast. "I believe that Cam Fowler and the Anaheim Ducks are working on what his future could look like.

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Even though Fowler wants a trade, there doesn't seem to be any bad blood between him and the team.

"I don't think this is, and I wanna stress this, I don't think this is a negative in any way shape or form," said Friedman. "I believe the player and the team are working together on this."

It seems that Fowler and the Ducks are simply heading in different directions.

"Cam Fowler, as you said he's got 2 years left on his contract, he's a little bit older, they've got a lot of good young players," said Friedman. "And eventually what you've gotta start doing, you've gotta say 'You know what Cam we have to start taking away some of your ice time so some of these other players can learn what it's like to play in important situations."

"He knows that when they are good and really ready to contend, it's gonna be their team and not his team," said Friedman.

Fowler's contract includes trade protection, but he's open to expanding his list of potential teams.

"What I do believe is that Cam Fowler has a small trade list, I think 4 teams that he can be traded to, but what I've heard is that Fowler has indicated a willingness to talk to more teams than that and consider more teams than that," added the insider.

As a reliable veteran, Fowler is expected to draw plenty of interest, and a trade could happen during the regular season.

"I don't think anybody will be surprised if sometime this season Cam Fowler is elsewhere," concluded Friedman.

John Gibson, whose name has been involved in trade rumors for years, is also working with the Ducks on finding a new team.

"I think the other one for Anaheim is John Gibson," said Friedman. "I don't know where it stands right now. I also believe the Ducks and Gibson have been working together to try and find him a new home, obviously that hasn't happened yet."

"I believe Gibson is very much in the same boat," said Friedman. "I am under the impression with Gibson that, even though he's got a trade list, he is willing to consider more situations."

Both players have significant contracts, with Fowler carrying a $6.5 million cap hit and Gibson at $6.4 million. Their cap hits will play a big role in determining which teams can make a deal happen, but Friedman believes trades for both players could occur soon.

Credit: hockeyfeedAnaheim Ducks working on two major trades.

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POLL
7 SEPTEMBRE \| 104 ANSWERS Anaheim Ducks reportedly working on two major trades per insider Elliotte Friedman Do you think the Anaheim Ducks will trade both John Gibson and Cam Fowler before the trade deadline?
Yes	61	58.7 %
Only one	33	31.7 %
No	10	9.6 %
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