Brandon Carlo was a key acquisition for the Toronto Maple Leafs eventually yr’s trade deadline. He had been a mainstay for the Boston Bruins on the blue line and was a much-need commodity because the Leafs prepared for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The suitable-shot defenseman with size and an extended reach was considered the form of defensive asset head coach Craig Berube’s team needed to make an extended playoff run.
Nonetheless, the Leafs didn’t have a successful stint within the playoffs. After beating the Ottawa Senators within the opening round, they were sent packing by the Florida Panthers within the second round once more. The 2025-26 season has not been a hit for the Leafs either, and so they aren’t any longer taking a look at the 6-5 Carlo as a crucial commodity on defense. Lower than a yr after the Bruins traded him to the Leafs, Carlo appears to be on the trading block once more.
Perhaps the Maple Leafs had overestimated what Carlo would bring to the organization due to his affiliation with the Bruins. Boston has tormented Toronto on a consistent basis within the postseason. The Bruins have run the Maple Leafs out of the playoffs — all the time within the seventh game — 4 times since 2013.
Carlo is a shutdown defenseman, but he’s a solid skater who can carry the puck out of trouble and make plays up the ice. Nonetheless, he has not scored one goal in his 38 games with the Maple Leafs. He had 3 assists in 20 games last season and a couple of more this season. He’s seeminglyh a one-dimensional player and he doesn’t look like a solid addition to the Maple Leafs.
Carlo still has some trade value despite health issue
Carlo is currently recovering from foot surgery, but he ought to be back on the ice in 2026. He has the scale that teams are in search of and he has played in big games throughout his profession.
Since he’s recovering from surgery now, he ought to be fresh when he returns. He could turn things around if skating for a brand new team. There are 3 teams that may very well be suitable for Carlo. One in all those teams is the Edmonton Oilers, a team that has been to the Stanley Cup Finals in each of the past 2 seasons.
General manager Stan Bowman’s team is lacking on the defensive end and in net. The Oilers recently acquired goaltender Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he has already suffered an injury and he has been placed on Injured Reserve.
Along with the issue that the Oilers have had in net, the defense has been vulnerable. The Oilers have probably the most dangerous offensive defensemen in Evan Bouchard, so it could be clear that Edmonton doesn’t need Carlo to contribute on the offensive end. They need him to play textbook defense on find out how to decelerate opposing centers and left wings who come down the ice in his area.
At this point in his profession, Carlo must have a relaxing effect on a contending team. He has seen all of essentially the most dangerous forwards within the Eastern Conference and he has the know-how with regards to shutting down offensive opportunities.
Flames and Bruins could come calling
The Calgary Flames don’t appear to have much of a probability to make the playoffs this yr, but they’re a team that could be establishing for the 2026-27 season.
Bringing a defenseman like Carlo into the fold would set an example for the opposite defensemen on the team on positioning, body checking and find out how to carry the puck out of trouble. That is probably not essentially the most attractive scenario for the 29-year-old defenseman, nevertheless it would give him a probability to be situated for the remaining of the season after which he could set an example for the remaining of the defense next season.
Carlo’s old team could possibly be taken with a reunion. The Bruins fell apart last yr and finished in last place within the Atlantic Division and it appeared they might be rebuilding for a season or two.
Nonetheless, they’ve regained their swagger under first-year head coach Marco Sturm. They’re within the thick of the playoff race within the crowded Eastern Conference. The return of a solid defensive defenseman to a spot where he is kind of comfortable could transform a positive for each Carlo and the Bruins.