Anaheim Ducks working on two major trades.

It is fairly common to hear trade rumors flying around the National Hockey League, but it isn't every day that two major trade rumors emanate from a single team.

That does however appear to be the current case for the Anaheim Ducks, who according to one NHL insider are currently working on a pair of significant trades that could come to fruition at some point during the upcoming season.

On the most recent episode of the new 32 Thoughts Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman went into detail regarding the Ducks and a pair of trades involving defenseman Cam Fowler and goaltender John Gibson. Both Fowler and Gibson have been with the Ducks for years, but according to the insider that could change in the very near future.

Friedman began by touching on the Fowler situation.

"There is something going on here," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast. "I believe that Cam Fowler and the Anaheim Ducks are working on what his future could look like.

Despite the fact that there is a desire on the part of Fowler to be moved, it does not sound like there is any animosity between the two parties here. 

"I don't think this is, and I wanna stress this, I don't think this is a negative in any way shape or form," said Friedman. "I believe the player and the team are working together on this."

Instead it sounds more like this is a situation where both Fowler and the Ducks understand that they are trending in opposite directions. 

"Cam Fowler, as you said he's got 2 years left on his contract, he's a little bit older, they've got a lot of good young players," said Friedman. "And eventually what you've gotta start doing, you've gotta say 'You know what Cam we have to start taking away some of your ice time so some of these other players can learn what it's like to play in important situations."

Those same young players are likely to play much more significant roles when the Ducks do finally turn the corner and are ready to contend once again. 

"He knows that when they are good and really ready to contend, it's gonna be their team and not his team," said Friedman.

Complicating matters is the trade protection in Fowler's contract, however it sounds like there is some flexibility there with both sides looking to make a deal happen.

"What I do believe is that Cam Fowler has a small trade list, I think 4 teams that he can be traded to, but what I've heard is that Fowler has indicated a willingness to talk to more teams than that and consider more teams than that," added the insider.

As an established veteran defenseman in the NHL, there will be no shortage of demand for Fowler's services

"I think there will be interest."

Friedman expects the Fowler trade will come to pass sooner rather than later, indicating that it could happen during the regular season.

"I don't think anybody will be surprised if sometime this season Cam Fowler is elsewhere," concluded Friedman.

Friedman also shared some thoughts on what is currently going on with John Gibson, whose name has been in the rumor mill for years.

"I think the other one for Anaheim is John Gibson," said Friedman. "I don't know where it stands right now. I also believe the Ducks and Gibson have been working together to try and find him a new home, obviously that hasn't happened yet."

The good news for the Ducks is that it sounds like Gibson, like Fowler, is also willing to be flexible in order to make this trade a reality. 

"I believe Gibson is very much in the same boat," said Friedman. "I am under the impression with Gibson that, even though he's got a trade list, he is willing to consider more situations."

Both players carry a sizeable cap hit on their contracts with Fowler's average annual value and cap hit at $6.5 million while Gibson comes in just slightly lower at $6.4 million. That will no doubt play a significant factor in which teams will be able to acquire either player, but it sounds like we may not have to wait too long to find out which teams those will be.