{"id":441252,"date":"2026-02-02T10:30:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/441252\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T10:30:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:30:32","slug":"brandon-carlo-was-never-torontos-first-choice-as-old-trade-target-re-emerges-as-potential-fit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/441252\/","title":{"rendered":"Brandon Carlo was never Toronto’s first choice as old trade target re-emerges as potential fit"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nBrandon Carlo was never Toronto’s first choice as old trade target re-emerges as potential fit
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Hockey Patrol has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n


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Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Brandon Carlo’s trade seemed to be a bit rushed and thanks to an old name re-emerging in trade discussions on social media — we have a better idea of why.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t exactly the splash they were trying to make and while Laughton has been a solid addition, the trade for Carlo has backfired spectacularly and there is a thought he could be dealt twice in as many seasons.<\/p>\n

Toronto’s murky situation caused by one team’s refusal to trade<\/p>\n

The whole situation could have been avoided though if the Maple Leafs got a little lucky and were able to get one team to play ball.<\/p>\n

League executives also suggested the Senators could try to see if they can find a fit with the Philadelphia Flyers for right-shot blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen, who has two years left at $5.1 million per season.<\/p>\n

But it should be noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs tried desperately to get Ristolainen at the trade deadline in March, and were rebuffed.<\/p>\n

The Leafs offered the moon and couldn\u2019t get him out of there,\u201d a league source said.<\/p>\n

Instead, the team shifted gears and traded for Carlo and the fact the team was able to pull off a deal with Philly anyways to get Laughton, it’s a wonder how the team couldn’t find a package deal suitable enough.<\/p>\n

Toronto’s Brandon Carlo trade seemed to be a last minute affair thanks to Flyers<\/p>\n

Struggling with injuries this season, Ristolainen’s only appeared in 16 games and has three points, and has been a far cry from his usual two-way dominance.<\/p>\n

But looking back on it, that rebuff really set a course for disaster. While it’s not guaranteed that Minten wouldn’t be going to Philadelphia in a deal either, settling on Carlo at the last minute is starting to look more and more like a rush job — one that only happens if Philly says no.<\/p>\n

But they also could have used Rasmus Ristolainen, but thanks to GM Daniel Briere it was a no-go, setting in motion the events leading up to today.<\/p>\n

Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

17 HOURS AGO|474 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Brandon Carlo was never Toronto’s first choice as old trade target re-emerges as potential fit<\/p>\n

Should Brandon Carlo’s trade be considered a failure for the Toronto Maple Leafs?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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