Brandon Carlo for the Columbus power forward Auston Matthews has been waiting for

Toronto needs to make sure Auston Matthews has some protection heading into 2026-27, but getting younger is also a priority. Columbus is looking for a new shutdown defender to replace Erik Gudbranson. Brandon Carlo fits the profile, and he could bring back the power forward Matthews has been searching for.

John Chayka's priority list for this offseason is growing by the day. He has to find some new assistant GM's, a brand new head coach, then figure out the NHL Draft, any potential trades and then walk right into free agency.

But he also has to make sure his captain is happy, and until the two meet we have no idea what demands he might be looking for. He does need some security around him considering he's a target, though luckily there's one over in Columbus.

Dmitri Voronkov is a 25-year old power forward who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds. He's a mountain of a man and could be the perfect fit alongside Matthews up top. He's a reliable scorer, a solid; if unspectacular defender, and most importantly gives the captain a ton of physical security.

This past season, Voronkov had 32 points in 63 games (17 goals, 15 assists) and for his career has 113 points in 211 games as well as 122 blocks and 259 hits. He's only just finished his third full season in the NHL and is still a couple years from his prime.

Both the first and second line need that big power forward to complement the offence, and with Matthew Knies potentially on William Nylander's wing this fall, there's an opening for Voronkov. He makes $4.175-million this year and is an RFA next summer, so he isn't the priciest player.

Always part of a rebuilding Columbus team, he has a chance to play in the postseason for the first time and who knows what kind of playoff producer he'll be; he could surprise everyone.

Now comes the question of what it is going to take to land the towering winger, but luckily Toronto holds exactly what Columbus needs.

With word that Erik Gudbranson is likely not coming back to the Blue Jackets, they are in need of a shutdown defender which makes Brandon Carlo the perfect replacement for him. Carlo hasn't really fit well in Toronto and the chance to turn him into a young power forward is too enticing to pass up.

He makes similar money to Voronkov ($4.385-million), isn't under a long-term deal, and can immediately slot into the top-four in Columbus with ease.

With Toronto targeting a much more speedy and puck-moving blueline; plus Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe already locked down - Carlo is expendable.

Carlo, 28, had only seven assists and a plus-4 in 55 games after missing a good chunk of the season with a foot injury stemming from an infection occurring long after another surgery.

Chayka is reportedly willing to trade anyone not named Auston Matthews and if Voronkov is someone he believes can improve the team then we may see him move quickly. He also can't rush to make a deal just for the sake of making one, and Carlo still remains the ideal piece to trade away.

Toronto had a chance to pry a young forward away from Columbus before in Egor Chinakhov but were rejected. Now with a new focus for both teams, they should come together once again to try and strike a deal. Both have what each other needs, it makes perfect sense.

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