The Anaheim Ducks dealt defenseman Cam Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the St. Louis Blues for a 2027 second-round selection and defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka, the clubs announced Saturday.
The Ducks are retaining about 38.46% of Fowler's $6.5-million cap hit. That brings it down to exactly $2.5 million for Anaheim and the remaining $4 million for St. Louis.
Fowler is under contract through 2025-26. The 33-year-old is in the seventh season of an eight-year deal. It contains a particularly strict no-trade clause, allowing him to submit a list of only four teams to which he'd permit a deal, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
He's spent his entire career with the Ducks, who drafted him 12th overall in 2010. Fowler ranks second in franchise history with 991 games played while sitting fifth on Anaheim's all-time assists (361) and points (457) lists.
"This was a difficult trade to make considering what Cam has meant to this organization," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "He has been a valuable and respected member of our team for 15 seasons, representing the Ducks with ultimate class. His character and contributions on and off the ice have and will continue to leave a positive impact on our fans and community."
Verbeek added that he met with Fowler on several occasions over the last few months, and they agreed it was in everyone's best interest for him to move on.
Fowler is an offense-first defenseman, but he's collected only four points - all assists - while averaging 21:04 of ice time over 17 games this season. That workload would be the second-lowest of his career and his lowest since 2012-13.
He's notched at least 30 points eight times and hit at least 40 on three occasions, including a career high of 48 in 2022-23.
However, Fowler's play has been lackluster at both ends this season. He has minus-5.8 offensive goals above replacement and minus-3.7 defensive GAR in 2024-25, per Evolving-Hockey. His minus-9 GAR as a whole ranked ninth worst in the NHL entering Saturday's slate.
The Blues now have six blue-liners of 31 years of age or older with Fowler, Justin Faulk (32), Torey Krug (33), Colton Parayko (31), Nick Leddy (33), and Ryan Suter (39). Krug will miss the entire season, and Leddy has been out since mid-October, both due to injuries.
Biakabutuka is a 22-year-old defenseman who has yet to make his NHL debut. He's posted a goal and three assists in 13 games with the ECHL's Florida Everblades this season and has also played one contest with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds in 2024-25. He's the nephew of former NFL running back Tim Biakabutuka.
