The 60-minute panic for Brandon Carlo that handed the Bruins Fraser Minten and a 1st-round pick
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Brad Treliving didn't formally engage with Boston's Don Sweeney until late on deadline day and now Fraser Minten is now centering David Pastrnak.
Oh, and Boston might also get Toronto's first-round pick. That panic turned into a problem faster than anyone anticipated.
Tuesday night is going to be the final meeting between the Bruins and Maple Leafs with high stakes on both sides. All eyes are going to be on Fraser Minten as the former Maple Leafs prospect is expected to centre the first line alongside David Pastrnak; a stunning development for a player who only months ago didn't have a real defined role.
60-Minute Mistake: How a final-hour desperation move has cost Toronto their future
But he wouldn't be there if the Maple Leafs hadn't done a last-minute deal at the 2024-25 deadline to bring in Brandon Carlo. It wasn't the most egregious trade made at the time but looking at things now - it's a huge loss for Toronto.
With how thin the centre depth is, and now that Auston Matthews is out for the year, the team could have certainly used Minten. Even if he wasn't the 1C and John Tavares was there, he could at least provide a much better replacement than Max Domi up the middle.
Well, it's even worse knowing they kind of...just didn't think things through. According to Chris Johnston, the trade involving Minten came at the final hour, with them finalizing things at 2 PM:
Brad Treliving didn't formally engage with Bruins GM Don Sweeney until about 2 p.m. ET at the 2025 deadline according to several sources from around the league.
They had previously discussed a Carlo framework however it was only with the clock ticking loudly that they finalized the most important details included in the relatively complex deadline deal.
One year later, those details all appear to have swung in the Bruins' favour.
They had previously discussed a Carlo framework however it was only with the clock ticking loudly that they finalized the most important details included in the relatively complex deadline deal.
One year later, those details all appear to have swung in the Bruins' favour.
Wow, that makes things look more miserable in hindsight. Knowing that Treliving wanted Carlo earlier and couldn't really find a deal until he desperately pleaded Sweeney to take a massive haul.
2026 NHL Draft in serious jeopardy as Carlo deal likely will cost Toronto a top-five pick
Minten is on the first line, and Carlo is someone who fans are getting tired of each time he steps on the ice. Add in the fact that Boston also has a very good shot at taking Toronto's first-rounder and you have some serious red flags.
You just handed Boston a potential top-six star in Minten, and now you're going to potentially give them a Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg or Keaton Verhoeff. The Maple Leafs can't do anything right and with how they've been so hot and cold recently; we don't know what to expect.
Toronto should let Boston just destroy them on Tuesday, however with how prideful Craig Berube and the other players are on the team, it could end up costing them dearly if they decide to stick it to the Bruins.
It would be a little different if Carlo was actually putting in a strong performance in spite of the free-fall in the standings but it's not the case.
He has seven points, a plus-9, 87 blocks and 57 hits. Those numbers are not downright awful, but watching Carlo he's often out of position, doesn't have the shutdown killer instinct, and won't help his goalies to save his life.
Meanwhile Minten has 31 points, a plus-22, and over 100 hits at only 21 years old; he's going to be a dance for years to come.
Trading Minten for Carlo isn't exactly the worst trade on paper especially given the circumstances, but knowing it was rushed is. Toronto is paying for it now with a lack of help up front, a worsening defence, and seeing their former prospect turn into a star.
If Boston gets that top-five pick, this trade just isn't a bad one. It's an utter and dismal failure of Toronto's front office and that has to be the nail in the coffin regarding their time here.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 24|1299 ANSWERS The 60-minute panic for Brandon Carlo that handed the Bruins Fraser Minten and a 1st-round pick Do you think the Maple Leafs trading Fraser Minten is the worst deal Brad Treliving has made? | ||
| Yes | 1113 | 85.7 % |
| No | 186 | 14.3 % |
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