Cam Fowler's Future With the Blues

Acquiring Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks was a great move by the St. Louis Blues last season. The defense needed a boost and the veteran provided just that. He was itching to play competitive hockey again and he stepped right into a top role in St. Louis.

After just four assists in 17 games for the Ducks to start the season, he put up nine goals and 36 points in 51 games for the Blues while playing 1:30 more per game. He got a fair bit of power-play time and eight of his points came on the man advantage, but he also killed some penalties as well.

Fowler is 33 years old, but he still appears to be at the top of his game and rejuvenated in St. Louis. Elliotte Friedman said that he wonders if the Blues extend Fowler as he was a great fit there. He's 33 years old, so it won't be any crazy long-term deal. I could see a five-year contract being the longest the Blues go to also keep the money down a little bit. Fowler is making $6.5 million AAV on his current contract that is going into the last year, but the Ducks retained $2.5 million AAV, so the Blues are only on the hook for $4 million AAV right now.

If Fowler can have similar success to what he had with the Blues when he came over, the decision to extend him should be easy. That is if he isn't asking for too much or a term like seven years. The Blues' young group of forwards and prospects are much better and deeper than what the organization has on defense. That is why Zachary Bolduc was traded for Logan Mailloux. Even after that move, the same statement still stands.

Philip Broberg is the only left-shot defenseman in the organization that has any chance of being a top pairing d-man, so Fowler's presence will still be needed moving forward to round out that top-4. I don't think a contract gets done yet as the Blues may want to see how Fowler does to at least begin the season, but the urgency to extend him will ramp up as the season goes on and he gets closer to becoming a UFA.

Photo credit: © Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images