Looking to shake things up at the trade deadline, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney did that. In what is turning into a lost season quickly for the Black and Gold, Sweeney made a flurry of trades on Friday afternoon, all within the final hour of the trade deadline at 3 o'clock.
There were a couple of moves made by Sweeney ahead of Friday's deadline, moving Trent Frederic, Max Jones and Justin Brazeau in deals. It appeared that Friday was going to be a quiet day in what was turning into a seller's market, then Sweeney struck and became a seller.
Grading Bruins trade of Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs
First Charlie Coyle was moved to the Colorado Avalanche, then in a shocker, Boston sent defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Moving the 6-foot-5 blueliner to a division rival when he has one year remaining on his contract next season is certainly an eye-opener. In return, the Bruins got prospect Fraser Minten, a 20206 first-round pick (top-five protected) and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The #NHLBruins have acquired forward Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected), and a 2025 fourth-round pick from Toronto in exchange for Brandon Carlo.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 8, 2025
📰: https://t.co/EbhK7KPbZ9 pic.twitter.com/Tq6gMctgvg
Carlo brings stability to the backend in Toronto and is another penalty-killing machine that blocks shots. He is your typical stay-at-home defenseman. The Maple Leafs have brought in blueliners in the past looking for the right fit and Carlo should be a good fit for this season and next.
As for the return, Boston was able to get Minten from Toronto who was one of their highly-regarded prospects. In an odd twist, he is with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) and they just happen to be in Providence playing the P-Bruins on Friday night. Minten has played in 15 NHL games this year for the Maple Leafs with two goals and four points.
Just 20 years old, he is a promising young prospect added to a not-so-great prospect pool and it will be interesting to see if he gets a chance in Boston at some point this year. He will also get a real good look in Providence in both the regular-season and the AHL playoffs.
Overall, it wasn't a shock that the Bruins moved on from Carlo, but doing so to a division rival is certainly a decision. Boston is retaining 15% of Carlo's salary, but in the end, they clear some cap space for this summer, which will be another free agency that will be important for Sweeney.
Grade: A-
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