51黑料

For Fowler, the move came with some trepidation both on and off the ice as he faced a big life change by moving his family (he and his wife had a toddler at home and another child on the way when the trade took place) as well as the task of integrating into a new team and new organization for the first time in his career.

What ultimately blossomed was a hand-in-hand match neither side could鈥檝e fully anticipated, a mutual embrace that helped push the Blues out of their rebuild and into a new competitive window.

Nothing can be done until after the start of the new league year this summer, but solidifying the pact between Fowler and the Blues makes too much sense for the sides not to reach an agreement to keep him in 51黑料 past next season. He鈥檚 currently slated to become a free agent after next season.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Fowler, a native of Ontario, wants to be a Blue. He fits the style of play implemented by head coach Jim Montgomery. Fowler had a highly productive season despite joining the club in December, and he had a big presence in the playoff series.

A veteran with 15 seasons under his belt, he looks like he鈥檚 still got something left in the tank. Fowler will turn 34 in December, so there鈥檚 a level of due diligence and caution required from the Blues in vetting him as a candidate for an extension.

Hopefully, that doesn鈥檛 turn into an impediment. It feels like the Blues could basically make Fowler an addendum to the existing core group. If he鈥檚 here for the next two seasons, that would replace what remains on Torey Krug鈥檚 contract. If Fowler has three more seasons with the Blues, that would align with the remaining years on veteran forward and captain Brayden Schenn鈥檚 deal.

鈥淗e looks like a great conditioned athlete. He鈥檚 a great person. I鈥檓 getting to see that more and more every day,鈥� Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said during his end of season news conference. 鈥淗e鈥檚 fitting into where we are next year, and we鈥檒l see about moving forward.鈥�

Fowler, who鈥檇 spent the first 991 games of his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, must be either as straightforward and transparent as they come or he has to be as shrewd as possible given his comments this week.

鈥淭hose decisions and those conversations will have to be something that we go through over the summer with Doug and the whole group here, but I would love to be around as long as they鈥檇 like me here,鈥� Fowler said.

鈥淚 just, honestly, I can鈥檛 say enough about this team and this city and what it means to be a Blue and what that means for the players and the fans and the community. It was something that I really enjoyed.鈥�

Yes, that came in the swirl of emotion that accompanies the end of a season. No, it doesn鈥檛 mean anyone should assume he鈥檇 take any deal offered to him.

Fowler had what seemed like an earnest and sincere utterance in front of microphones and cameras.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful and thankful to this organization, from top to bottom, for giving me this opportunity and making me and my family feel so comfortable here,鈥� Fowler said.

鈥淎s scary as that decision was at the time. I鈥檓 really happy with how everything has turned out, and me and my family have been so happy here and with this team. So I鈥檓 really excited for the future. I definitely feel like I鈥檓 a part of this group now.鈥�

Of course, sentiment doesn鈥檛 move a team up the standings, and sappiness isn鈥檛 a hockey statistic.

The case for Fowler remaining a Blue resides in the statistics as much if not more than the feel-good elements.

In the 51 regular-season games after Fowler joined the Blues, he registered 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) and a plus/minus of plus-19. He and Colton Parayko formed the top defensemen pairing. Fowler also played the point on the Blues top power-play unit, and he picked up eight points (two goals, six assists) on the power play.

Fowler鈥檚 goals per 60 minutes (0.5) and assists per 60 minutes (1.5) during his time with the Blues were the highest of his career. His point shares (6.8) from the portion of the season with the Blues represent the highest of all but one full season of his career. The only season he accumulated more points shares was his all-star season (2016-17).

Fowler recorded 10 points (two goals, eight assists) against the Winnipeg Jets to set a franchise records for points in a series by a defenseman. He also set a record for points in a postseason game by a defenseman (five in Game 3).

鈥淚 just found myself very comfortable in the system, and we have amazing players here, obviously,鈥� Fowler said of his success this season. 鈥淭hat helps make my job a little bit easier. I think it was the opportunity and the way that Monty wants us to utilize our skating ability and jump up in the play offensively.

鈥淚 had a good opportunity on the power play too with (Robert Thomas) and (Pavel Buchnevich), (Zack Bolduc) 鈥� we got that clicking pretty good. So I think it was just a combination of it all.鈥�

Armstong described trading for Fowler as one of three crucially consequential changes within the team this season. The others were signing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg away from the Edmonton Oilers via offer sheets, then hiring Montgomery as head coach during the season after the Boston Bruins fired him.

鈥淲e were lucky to get Fowler,鈥� Armstrong said.鈥� You bring in somebody that had an impact that Fowler had in our group, sliding into your top four, top three, likely top two 鈥� statistically being one of the top players in the game at his position from the day he got here.鈥�

Fowler fits, pure and simple. This should be a marriage that continues beyond the initial honeymoon stage.