Former Bruins Defenseman Named As Trade Candidate Ahead Of Deadline

Former Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo could be traded for the second straight season.

Boston dealt Carlo and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline for Fraser Minten and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Carlo was supposed to be an impact player for the Maple Leafs, but his name has already come up in trade talks. The Athletic’s NHL insider, Chris Johnston, ranked Carlo ninth on the trade bait board ahead of the trade deadline on March 6.

“Traded from Boston to Toronto ahead of last year’s deadline, Carlo is among a small handful of players who could bring the struggling Leafs back surplus value in a shakeup deal,” Johnston wrote in a piece published on Wednesday. “Of course, they’d also be immediately looking for another sturdy defender who can patrol the right side if they elect to go down that road.

“Carlo is a 6-foot-5 defenseman who can kill penalties and help shut the game down. He’s not overly physical, but he’s no stranger to big-game hockey with 85 career playoff games on his resume. He’s signed for one season beyond this one, too.”

Carlo is currently on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. He’s in the fifth year of a six-year, $24.6 million deal he originally signed with the Bruins.

Boston selected Carlo 37th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. He played in parts of nine seasons with the Bruins, including being a key member of the 2019 team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final.

Carlo has skated in 18 games, recording two assists with the Maple Leafs this season.