NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Deals That Make Sense For Both Sides
By Ryan Ritchie
Anaheim Ducks trade Cam Fowler to Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Tomas Tatar
Obviously, some juggling would be necessary (perhaps adding a couple pieces) since Detroit is currently over the projected salary cap. They should get some relief moving Johan Franzen’s nearly $4 million dollar cap hit to the long-term IR though.
Expendable Options
Even if Shea Theodore wasn’t in the mix for the Ducks, GM Bob Murray would still be facing a dilemma in protecting his top four defensemen (Kevin Bieksa – no movement clause, Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, and Cam Fowler). The emergence of the left-handed shooting Theodore has essentially made one of Lindholm or Fowler expendable, with the latter being the logical choice to be dealt.
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Since the Detroit Red Wings have an immense amount of depth up front, GM Ken Holland can afford to trade a winger (while at the same time making extra room for Anthony Mantha) to upgrade the blue line – something they could desperately use after the way this team played en route to their early exit in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Between Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader, Thomas Vanek, and Teemu Pulkkinen, the Red Wings have enough LW depth in 2015-16. They’ve also got LWers Evgeny Svechnikov and Dylan Sadowy ready to replace aging veterans in coming years.
Why Tatar Makes Sense
The 25-year-old Slovakian winger Tomas Tatar currently carries a $2.75 million dollar cap hit and becomes a restricted free agent next summer. His production dipped slightly in 2015-16 dropping to 21 goals (45 points) after posting 29 goals (56) points in 2014-15.
For the second year in a row, Anaheim walks into a new season with questions marks at left wing. The hope is that Nick Ritchie will step up after a decent rookie season, but the next best bet to fill that void is Max Jones (likely 2-3 years away from NHL action). Instead of placing hopes on uncertainties, wouldn’t it make sense to add an established young winger?
Why Fowler Makes Sense
Fowler, 24, carries a $4 million dollar cap hit and as mentioned is a left-handed shot. Now, ideally the Red Wings could use a RH defender since Niklas Kronwall and Danny Dekeyser each shoot left, but both Kronwall and Fowler are capable of playing the right side.
As it stands, Dailyfaceoff.com projects Detroit’s opening night pairings to be Dekeyser-Green and Ericsson-Kronwall. Surely, the offensive-minded Cam Fowler is an upgrade on Jonathan Ericsson.
The thing that has made Detroit so dangerous over their quarter-century playoff streak is their ability to create offense from the back end. It’s not just simply that though, it’s their ability to turn pucks over in the neutral zone and transition those turnovers into odd-man rushes and scoring chances like no other team.
If you want to spend less time playing defense in your own zone and take the pressure off your goaltender, all you have to do is create a little extra offense and spend more time in the offensive zone. Cam Fowler plays an offensive style that can help make that happen.