Tough deadline day ends well for Ducks’ Cam Fowler

Monday was a strange day for Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler.

His name had been mentioned in some rumors leading up to the NHL trade deadline, which understandably caused him some concern. Although he wasn’t traded, his defense partner, Ben Lovejoy, was dealt to Pittsburgh for Simon Despres in one of four trades the Ducks made on Monday.

“It’s part of the business, I guess,” Fowler said Tuesday after the Ducks skated at Gila River Arena in advance of their game against the Arizona Coyotes. “I hate to see Lovey go. He was a good friend of mine. Good partner. We had a lot of good chemistry together, but these things happen.

“So, I’m excited for the new journey and whoever I play with. We’re excited for the additions that we’ve added here.”

Fowler, who was to play the left side with Despres on a new defense pairing, said he was happy to have the deadline pass and still be a member of the Ducks. After all, to repeat a hockey cliché, if Wayne Gretzky could be traded, anyone could be traded.

“Any time a trade deadline passes and nothing happens I guess there’s a kind of a calming feeling that comes over you,” Fowler said. “I think 99% of the players, there’s always that slight chance that something might happen. I understand.

“I feel like I have a good idea of my role here and the type of confidence and trust that management and coaches have in me, and that hasn’t changed no matter what I see in the rumors or articles that come out. I’m comfortable here. I love playing in Anaheim and excited about what this team can hopefully accomplish.”

Monday, he said, “was a tough day for everybody. Today is a fresh start and we’re looking forward to the future and what this team can do.”

helene.elliott@latimes.com

Twitter: @helenenothelen