NHL Trade Rumors: 5 names to watch

4. Cam Fowler to Bruins?

The Boston Bruins already had a questionable blue line even before a recent string of injuries. Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid are both going to miss some time. The Bruins also have over $4 million of cap space. Could this lead to the Bruins making a trade for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler?

Fowler is a left-handed shot. Zdeno Chara is very close to the end of his glorious NHL career. While the Bruins already have Torey Krug, Fowler would give them another solid lefty defenseman as they look to replace Chara in the future. Brandon Carlo is the type of defenseman who Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle would love. Forward Brandon Heinen is a highly thought of mid-level prospect. The package would likely include a high draft pick, but the Bruins are desperate. Perhaps desperate enough to give the Ducks what they want.

Trading Fowler also makes sense for the Ducks. He’s a good defenseman, but the primary issue is he might be keeping them from re-signing Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm probably wants a no-movement clause so he won’t be claimed in next summer’s expansion draft. Kevin Bieksa has a no movement clause and the Ducks love Sami Vatanen. The Ducks would love to find a way to keep Lindholm. Giving him a no movement clause is one way to do so. Trading Fowler would let them get something for a defenseman they might have to expose in the expansion draft.