Brandon Carlo, standing tall at 6-foot-5, was grinning in the back row during the team photo day on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena. He was finally starting to feel like he truly belonged with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Just nine days ago, Carlo made his debut with the team, and the experience has been a whirlwind. Reflecting on his first game with the Maple Leafs against the Colorado Avalanche, he admitted it felt like a much longer period had passed.
In that debut, a 7-4 loss to the Avalanche in Denver on March 8, Carlo had a challenging start, but now, he’s about to face the same team again, this time at home in Toronto. His comfort level has improved significantly, as he has gotten more acclimated to the team and the city.
Carlo was traded from the Boston Bruins to the Maple Leafs just before the NHL trade deadline on March 7. Toronto acquired him for a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (top-five protected), a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and forward Fraser Minten. Carlo, who still has two years remaining on a six-year, $24.6 million contract with an average annual value of $4.1 million, flew directly to Denver to join the Leafs after the trade. Interestingly, his former teammate, Charlie Coyle, was also on the same flight, having been traded to the Avalanche. Carlo found some comfort in traveling with Coyle, who had gone through a similar experience in the past.
With his father, Lenny, joining other family and friends to watch him play for the Maple Leafs for the first time, Carlo didn’t have the smoothest start in his debut game. He was on the ice for four goals in the first 20 minutes — two by each team — but finished the game with six blocked shots and 22:04 minutes of ice time, signaling his value to his new coach, Craig Berube.
Carlo expressed how much he enjoys playing against top players, especially against stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and how comforting it was to have his family in the stands after the chaotic game. He’s been adjusting to his new environment, both on and off the ice, and has found his new teammates to be very supportive, which has made his transition easier. Over time, he’s felt more settled, and is enjoying being part of the Maple Leafs.
In his five games with the team, Carlo has been playing alongside Morgan Rielly, a skilled puck-moving defenseman. He has one assist, a plus-1 rating, and is averaging 19:20 of ice time. His steady play has earned him trust from Coach Berube, who has noticed Carlo growing more comfortable with his partner, the team’s systems, and the new environment both on and off the rink.
Carlo’s impact has also been noticed by Toronto goalie Joseph Woll, especially after the team’s 6-2 victory against the Calgary Flames on Monday. Woll praised Carlo’s big presence on the ice, his shot-blocking ability, his smart decisions, and his effective puck movement out of the defensive zone. While Carlo may not be the flashiest player, Woll appreciates his consistency and ability to do the right things on the ice. Carlo’s reliable performance is already earning him fans within the team.