Two seasons ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs made an ill-advised trade with the Boston Bruins, and now, the Bruins are using one of those assets for a quick flip.

Maple Leafs fans remember the Brandon Carlo trade very well. The Maple Leafs gave up a first-round pick and Fraser Minten, while taking on a defenseman who no longer plays for the team.

It is a trade that most Leafs fans will tell you was a big mistake. Especially so when you consider how Minten has become a stud for the Bruins.

This trade could get even uglier for the Maple Leafs when you consider what the Bruins are trying to do with their Maple Leafs first.

Bruins want to improve their roster

According to David Pagnotta, the Bruins want to use their extra first-round pick to acquire a player that takes the Bruins from a playoff contender to a real Stanley Cup contender.

[They] would love to be able to add to this; it does sound like they're exploring the market; they have another carrot to dangle, not just their 1st...but Toronto's 1st; I don't think they're looking at a short term fix

Presumably, Dylan Larkin is one of those players. The Bruins have been mentioned in Larkin trade talks, and it feels as though there is a real fit here.

Having said that, the Bruins could also target players like Matvei Michkov, who is also reportedly available on the trade market these days.

Ultimately, the Maple Leafs could be the catalyst for the Bruins acquiring Dylan Larkin, which would be a hilarious comedy of errors for the Brad Treliving regime.

The Bruins continue to make savvy moves, while the Leafs continue to get stuck with moves that are increasingly seen as absolutely bone-headed.

Only time will tell whether or not the Bruins' pursuit of Larkin continues to be a success.

POLL

Do you believe Dylan Larkin will end up in Boston?

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Lightning respond to the Maple Leafs' Nikita Kucherov trade inquiry