Blues Acquire Brandon Carlo from Maple Leafs for Two 2026 Third-Round Picks

The St. Louis Blues added a veteran presence to their blue line this morning, acquiring defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for two 2026 third-round draft picks, No. 73 and 76 overall.

Carlo, 29, arrives in St. Louis as a long-tenured NHL defenseman known for his defensive reliability, penalty kill usage, and ability to handle heavy minutes against top competition. The deal gives the Blues an experienced right-shot option as they continue to reshape their defensive structure heading into the next phase of roster construction.

The Blues entered Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft holding three third-round selections at No. 73, 75, and 76 before moving two of them in the deal. Carlo has one year remaining on a six-year, $24.6 million contract with a $3.485 million cap hit and is owed $3.25 million in salary.

The trade also reunites Carlo with Blues head coach Jim Montgomery, under whom he previously played during their time together with the Boston Bruins. That familiarity could help ease his transition into a defensive group that has undergone significant turnover in recent seasons.

Last season with Toronto, Carlo appeared in 55 regular-season games, recording seven assists while operating primarily in a shutdown role. His usage was centered on defending in his own zone, matching against opposing top-six forwards, and helping stabilize penalty-killing situations rather than contributing offensively.

Originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft, the Colorado Springs native has built a reputation over 10 NHL seasons as a steady, stay-at-home defenseman. Across his career with Boston and Toronto, Carlo has played in 692 regular-season games, totaling 119 points (29 goals, 90 assists) and a plus-137 rating.

His value has also translated into the postseason, where he has appeared in 85 playoff games. Carlo has posted 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in those appearances while consistently being trusted in high-pressure defensive situations. His size at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds has made him a consistent net-front presence and a physical deterrent in tight playoff matchups.

For St. Louis, the cost of acquisition comes in the form of draft capital, with the club moving two of its three 2026 third-round selections. The move significantly reduces the Blues’ mid-round draft flexibility, but it also delivers an established NHL defender who can immediately step into a regular role without development time.

His arrival also impacts the team’s defensive depth chart, which includes Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Cam Fowler, Theo Lindstein, Tyler Tucker, and Logan Mailloux. It further raises questions about how Matthew Kessel fits into the mix as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

If Adam Jiricek is not ready for full-time NHL duty, Carlo provides St. Louis with a proven option to stabilize the right side while allowing younger defensemen to develop at a more controlled pace.

For Toronto, the trade adds additional draft capital and opens up roster flexibility on the blue line as the organization continues to evaluate its defensive depth moving forward.

The move continues a busy stretch for St. Louis, which has shown a willingness to use draft picks to bring in established NHL talent.