The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has acquired defenceman Brandon Carlo from Boston in exchange for Toronto’s first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft (top 5 protected), Philadelphia’s fourth-round selection in 2025 and forward Fraser Minten. The Bruins are retaining 15% of Carlo’s salary.
Carlo, 28, has skated in 63 games for Boston this season, registering nine points (one goal, eight assists) and 24 penalty minutes. In 617 career NHL games, the 6’5, 220-pound defenceman has recorded 109 points (29 goals, 80 assists) and 331 penalty minutes while adding 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 72 playoff games.
The Colorado Spring, CO native was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round (37th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Brandon Carlo, a right shot headed to Toronto, has two more years beyond this one on his contract. $4.1 million cap hit. Vastly improves Leafs’ top four.
Bruins trading with fiercest rivals at last minute.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) March 7, 2025
The #leafs are getting Brandon Carlo.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 7, 2025
Carlo has 64 hits in 63 games for the Bruins, but leads Boston with 119 blocks. #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 7, 2025
Leafs got just about the perfect huge RHD in Carlo. Not sure the return yet but just couldn’t have been better add.
— Justin Bourne (@jtbourne) March 7, 2025
Still piecing together the details but so far:
To #LeafsForever:
D Brandon CarloTo #NHLBruins:
TOR 1st Round Pick
Fraser MintenTo #LetsGoPens:
Conor Timmins
Connor DewarBelieve there is retention involved as well.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025
Brandon Carlo to @TSN_Sports, minutes after his trade to the #leafs: "Definitely a shocker when I heard that it was Toronto. ... What an opportunity for me to go in there and try and help this group win."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 7, 2025
Connor Dewar is also heading to Pittsburgh from the #leafs.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 7, 2025
Brandon Carlo, acquired by TOR, is a big stay at home defenceman. Does very very little with the puck and his shut-down impact isn't quite where it was a few years ago, but he battles, disrupts plays, and protects the net-front and the slot. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/WbdXSUSaoj
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
More on the Leafs' big new defenceman Brandon Carlo. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/YeWk9Fq0fo
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
Leafs get Brandon Carlo. Has struggled a bit without Lindholm next to him, but has a strong defensive history in tough minutes. Great PK impacts. pic.twitter.com/VB9WcoC6Dk
— dom (@domluszczyszyn) March 7, 2025
