NHL Trade Rumors: Canadiens, Sabres Among Potential Cam Fowler Suitors

The Anaheim Ducks locked up top-four defenseman Sami Vatanen to a four-year, $19.5 million contract earlier this month, and they still have to re-sign No. 1 blueliner Hampus Lindholm before he becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

How will the Ducks clear salary cap space and address other roster needs? Trading Cam Fowler is one avenue.

Fowler, 24, is attractive to teams because he’s a quality puck-moving defenseman who makes an impact offensively — think 3o to 40 points. His contract, which includes a $4 million cap hit through 2017-18, is team-friendly.

Two of the teams reportedly showing interest in Fowler are the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. If these teams don’t make a deal for Fowler, they both could select a defenseman in the first round of Friday’s NHL draft. Buffalo has the No. 8 pick and Montreal has the No. 9 pick.

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