Multiple Teams Eye Trade for Maple Leafs Defenceman, Talks Heating Up
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Frank Seravalli reveals new insight into a potential Brandon Carlo trade just months after acquisition from Boston.
Brandon Carlo was traded to the Leafs back at the NHL Trade Deadline in a deal that sent Fraser Minten and a 2026 first round pick to the Bruins for Carlo back in March, now three months later trade rumors coming into play for the 28-year-old defenseman.
Despite meshing well on the Leafs top line alongside Morgan Rielly, Carlo is still linked with a potential move out as the Leafs may have to move on from him.
For 'Daily Faceoff', insider Frank Seravalli discussed Brandon Carlo as a player who could be on the move from Toronto as his 25th ranked player on his offseason trade board, although the Leafs aren't keen on making such a deal.
Carlo's name has popped up in conversation in recent days, even though he was just acquired on Deadline Day from Boston in exchange for first and fourth round picks plus Fraser Minten.
To be blunt: Toronto really isn't itching to move Carlo. He is a big man who adds reliable depth at a reasonable cap hit and he's in the prime of his career. But the Leafs may be able to parlay Carlo, at a premium position, into a higher-end forward to add to the lineup.
Few things are off the table at this point for GM Brad Treliving.
To be blunt: Toronto really isn't itching to move Carlo. He is a big man who adds reliable depth at a reasonable cap hit and he's in the prime of his career. But the Leafs may be able to parlay Carlo, at a premium position, into a higher-end forward to add to the lineup.
Few things are off the table at this point for GM Brad Treliving.
Other media reports have also discussed the idea of trading Carlo and leveraging the deal to get an impact forward in the team's top-nine.
Leafs Potentially Moving On From Defense As Teams Look At Forward Options
Along with Brandon Carlo, Frank Seravalli also hinted at Morgan Rielly being a potential trade target, ranking him a spot above Brandon Carlo in his trade board at #24.
The Leafs need a puck-moving defenseman, someone who can help get them out of trouble efficiently and exit the zone with more ease. Rielly isn't that anymore.
He's been a fine playoff contributor, surprisingly enough, but he isn't an effective quarterback on the first power play unit and his game showed significant signs of slowing down this season.
Should the Leafs make a move before that contract becomes onerous?
He's been a fine playoff contributor, surprisingly enough, but he isn't an effective quarterback on the first power play unit and his game showed significant signs of slowing down this season.
Should the Leafs make a move before that contract becomes onerous?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have relied on Rielly for over a decade now as their primary puck-moving defenseman, with the 31-year-old struggling with his consistency and what seemed to be a bit of a burnout in the midway point of the Leafs season.
Rielly was last on Toronto in +/- with a -8 on the season, a major question mark over his ability with the Leafs struggle to close out games given that the Leafs core-four are all positive +/- players.
Could The Toronto Maple Leafs Trade One Of Rielly & Carlo (or both)?
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have to move on from one or even both of their defensemen if it means improving the overall structure of the team.
Rielly's contract at $7.5M until 2030 is something that will make it incredibly difficult to move on from him without giving up more, such as retention.
Carlo is easier to stomach at $4.1M until 2027, which would attract more willing suitors than Rielly.
It's unlikely that both players will be traded, and even one of the them seems like an uncertain plan right away with the offseason as they navigate their free agency plans.
This summer could be one of massive change for the Toronto Maple Leafs that could really hammer home the idea of a new Leafs identity.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 26 | 608 ANSWERS Multiple Teams Eye Trade for Maple Leafs Defenceman, Talks Heating Up Would you trade Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo? | ||
| Yes | 155 | 25.5 % |
| No | 98 | 16.1 % |
| Yes Rielly, No Carlo | 326 | 53.6 % |
| Yes Carlo, No Rielly | 29 | 4.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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