It is not exactly a secret that one of the Ottawa Senators' top goals of this offseason should be to add another top-four right-shot defenseman. The right side of their blue line is simply not strong enough, and this will only be more of the case if they end up moving top trade candidate Jordan Spence.
Bringing in a steady defensive defenseman with size would have the potential to help the Senators' blueline immensely. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo stands out as a very interesting option for the Senators to consider.
Carlo's name has floated around the rumor mill for a while now. It is understandable, as the 6-foot-5 defenseman has struggled to find his fit since being traded to the Maple Leafs. With this, it is clear that he could use a fresh start, and the Senators should consider kicking tires on him because of it.
If the Senators acquired Carlo, he would have the potential to be a strong fit on their second pairing with Thomas Chabot. Furthermore, due to his defence-first style of play, he would give the Senators another clear option for their penalty kill if acquired.
What the Senators would potentially need to give up to land Maple Leafs' Carlo
With Carlo being a top-four right-shot defenseman with size, it is likely that the Senators would need to include a first-round pick. Another later draft pick or a decent prospect could also be needed for the Senators to bring in Carlo. This is especially so when noting that Carlo has an easily affordable $3.49 million cap hit.
Ultimately, with the Senators needing help on their blueline, it would make sense for them to target Carlo this summer. While he may not be the flashiest of defencemen, his strong defensive play and playoff experience could make him a nice pickup for a Senators club that is looking to take another step forward in 2026-27.
In 55 games during the 2025-26 season with the Maple Leafs, Carlo recorded seven assists, 65 hits, 98 blocks, and a plus-4 rating.
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