Coach Parker
Stanley Cup Champion
My main problem with Fowler is the quality of his defensive play. I like him and would do the deal but I do have that reservation. I still prefer Lindholm or Theodore. The Ducks need LW help as bad as we need D help so I don't understand their reluctance to trade either guy, especially with their prospect pool of defensive players. Prospects do you no good playing in the AHL.
I'll explain those two and what you'll hear from Ducks fans and what you would hear from Bruins fans if we were ever in this situation:
1. Sure, you'd prefer one of those two but so would they and every single team in the NHL.
2. They consider (with good reason) Lindholm their future and current #1 defenseman. He is already their most valuable player and the cost would be to offer-sheet the four 1sts or give up Pastrnak, Marchand, McAvoy, + and they still wouldn't move him.
3. They are an internal cap team that has a set budget. They want to replace Fowler, Despres or Vatanen (not likely now) with Theadore as he would be cheap, ELC and looks already ready to be a top four.
In short, if you were serious about trading for Theadore now, you'd probably be parting with Pastrnak once again.
I am with you on wanting Lindholm and would even do the offer-sheet to get him (the four 1sts as the prospect pool is deep enough to survive the loss and Boston seems to do better with 2nd round picks anyways!)
Fowler is a #2 in the NHL already and is only 24. He is the most available (outside of Shattenkirk) player that meets our needs unless something arises from Minnesota in the next couple weeks.