Why the Carlo-Mrtka trade failed: Inside the Maple Leafs' deadline
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Nick Kypreos reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at Radim Mrtka as the return piece if they were to send defenseman Brandon Carlo the other way as Buffalo adds to their playoff run while helping Toronto's retool immensely but Buffalo stood pat at the deadline.
Post-Deadline Update: Why the deal fell through
With Carlo still on the roster as of Friday evening, it seems that Buffalo wasn't interested and likely already shifted gears with the aforementioned Stanley and Schenn pickups.
With Colton Parayko declining them the chance to acquire him, they went uber-cheap; something Toronto could have done had they had some retention thrown in the mix.
Plus, Carlo (unless retained heavily) would not have fetched a former ninth overall pick; especially not in the current market.
Carlo, 28, is a prime target on the market due to his handedness, his fairly respectable contract ($3.485-million; two years left) and playoff experience. His time with Toronto hasn't been as fruitful as expected, and while he's been solid; it's not the elite shutdown defense that cost them a first-rounder and Fraser Minten.
With Buffalo loading up for the playoffs, it seems they could be looking at their divisional rivals for help according to Nick Kypreos. Since Colton Parayko nixed the deal to the Sabres, they've reportedly shifted gears and could zone in on Carlo as a target.
Toronto eyeing top prospect in Brandon Carlo deal
The only caveat being that Toronto is trying to get the same piece that would have brought Parayko in (if he hadn't declined) prospect blueliner Radim Mrtka:
Buffalo could also take a run at Toronto's Brandon Carlo and the Leafs would consider moving him if they can get their hands on Radim Mrtka, last year's ninth overall pick.
That would be a really fantastic bit of business for Brad Treliving, and shows that maybe the team does care about the future a little more than they lead on.
Mrtka, 18, is a towering 6-foot-6, 218-pound defender who also happens to be a righty so there's the Carlo replacement. Not to mention he's an underrated passer, coupled with his fantastic length and frame -- he's great at getting the puck and transitioning out.
He has 30 points in 35 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds (1 goal, 29 assists), a minus-3 and 36 PIM and was drafted by the Sabres in last year's draft.
If the Maple Leafs can bring him in, there could be a chance for him to become a focal part of the team in the very near future. With the team potentially going through a rebuilding process, you have to think 3-4 years into the future and see where you're headed.
Adding an 18-year old mammoth on the back-end, who can also provide some steady offense while being incredibly rangy is something only few teams can dream of. Toronto could make it even easier and retain on Carlo, making Buffalo's path a little easier.
Though with the additions of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, they might not be in the market to spend so heavily on Carlo however with a 14-year playoff drought staring them in the face, no price is too high for the chance to win.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 6|750 ANSWERS Why the Carlo-Mrtka trade failed: Inside the Maple Leafs' deadline Do you think the Maple Leafs should trade Brandon Carlo now, keep him, or trade him in the summer? | ||
| Keep Now | 216 | 28.8 % |
| Trade Now | 254 | 33.9 % |
| Trade On July 1 | 280 | 37.3 % |
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