Star D-man Cam Fowler suddenly lands on trade block!

Defenseman Cam Fowler has spent over a decade with the Anaheim Ducks, but it looks like that time could be coming to an end. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported on his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast that both the former first round pick in 2010 and the team are in the early stages of exploring trade options.

“I believe Cam Fowler and the Anaheim Ducks are working on what his future could look like,” Friedman said. “I don’t think this is a negative. I believe the player and the team are working together on this.”

He added: [Fowler’s] a little bit older. They’ve got a lot of good young players, and eventually what you’ve got to start doing is you’ve got to say, ’You know what, Cam, we have to start taking some of your ice time so that these other players learn what it’s like to play in the important situations’… Fowler knows that when they’re good and they’re really ready to contend, it’s going to be their team and not his team.”

The 32-year-old, who has been a staple on the Ducks’ blue line, has two years remaining on his contract that carries an AAV of $6.5 million. It also includes a no-trade clause that limits the teams to which he can accept a trade to four.

“What I’ve heard is that Fowler has indicated a willingness to talk to more teams than that and consider more teams than that,” Friedman added. “Fowler has a lot of respect around the league. There will be interest. I don’t think anybody will be surprised if some time this season Cam Fowler is elsewhere.”

Last season, Fowler played 81 games, scoring 39 points and averaged 24:25 TOI. He is third on the franchise’ all-time list in terms of games played for the club with 974 in Anaheim, just behind Corey Perry (988) and Ryan Getzlaf (1157). He’s the Ducks all-time leader among defensemen in goals (96), assists (357), and points (453).

He might leave that history behind if he chooses to be traded following discussions with he Ducks throughout the season.