The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo, adding significant size and a veteran presence to their blue line ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.
The Maple Leafs traded top prospect Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round draft pick (top five protected), and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick (from Philadelphia) to the Bruins for Carlo. They also traded forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Conor Timmins to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NHL draft.
Carlo, 28, is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive stopper in his ninth year with the Bruins. He has averaged 18:46 in ice time this season in 62 games and was the Bruins' primary penalty killer on the blueline (2:50 short-handed ice time per game). Carlo helped the Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs in playoff series in 2019 and 2024.
Carlo is signed through 2027 with a $4.1 million cap hit. In the deal, Boston will retain 15% of Carlo's salary, sources told ESPN.
Minten, 20, was selected 38th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. He can play center or wing. Minten has played 19 games with the Maple Leafs in the NHL after turning pro in 2023-24 but has spent most of this season with the AHL Toronto Marlies. The 6-2 forward plays a physical game and can play a variety of roles. Many considered him to be the Leafs' second-best prospect behind forward Easton Cowan.
The Boston Bruins unloaded many players at the NHL trade deadline. Besides Carlo, the Bruins traded captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers, center Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche, center Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers and forward Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild.
