Maple Leafs ready for Carlo trade: Did they make the wrong bet? – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs
To be fair, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ blueline combo didn’t work. Through 16 games, they’ve allowed 60 goals — third-most in the NHL — and a reshaped core that was expected to be a strength has turned into a nightly guessing game.
For a team with playoff aspirations, the offseason questions should revolve around how well the forwards perform without Mitch Marner. The fact that their blue line is an issue has become a real concern.
Brandon Carlo is a name that is getting more and more attention.
Is Carlo a good fit for the Maple Leafs?
Toronto paid a premium to acquire Carlo at the trade deadline — forward Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. What the Maple Leafs were supposed to get was a 28-year-old full-time defenseman ready to stabilize Toronto’s blue line.
This didn’t quite work out as expected. His stat line of two assists and a +2 rating wasn’t so bad that the Maple Leafs panicked and tried to get out of his contract, but more than once there were rumors that they were open to a trade. Which is understandable considering he still looks uncomfortable.
Our own Peter Barracchini writes:
“There were numerous times over the past week that they turned the puck over while the defense was busy trying to save and negate plays. … Their careless play and poor puck management was evident as their sloppy play in all three zones led to turnovers, hurried chances and goals. Considering this is still the same defensive unit it was last season, this type of play to start the season is concerning.”
Maybe the Maple Leafs should pull the trigger and make a trade that appears to be happening indoors.
Are the Maple Leafs involved in a trade involving Carlo?
Now, Toronto actually tried to trade Carlo this offseason, according to James Myrtle of The Athletic.
The Maple Leafs reportedly discussed a trade that would have sent him to the Buffalo Sabers for winger JJ Peterka — a deal that, in hindsight, may have worked out well for both parties. Buffalo ended up sending Peterka to Utah for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring, while Toronto doubled down on Carlo.
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At the time, Toronto was unwilling to deplete their blue line to complete the deal, but Miltle noted, “I think there was buyer’s remorse for the Maple Leafs team that Carlo joined.”
He added:
“It’s telling that when they were looking at trading a top winger, they were looking at moving him. In hindsight, they were looking at moving Carlo in the Peter Card trade with Buffalo, and he was going to be the Kesselring, big right-shooting back that Buffalo ended up getting. In hindsight, that would have been pretty good…”
It’s hard not to think about what would have happened. Peterka was outstanding for the Mammoths and had a much greater impact on the team than Carlo did in Toronto. His offense isn’t explosive, but he would add speed and secondary scoring that the team desperately needs outside of William Nylander.
The question now is, will GM Brad Treliving revisit the idea of Carlo being a viable trade target before the 2026 deadline?
