With only six games remaining in the regular season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, all eyes have squarely shifted over to the postseason that is looming right around the corner.
The Maple Leafs added some pieces at the deadline this season to better their chances at a deep postseason run, and one of those added pieces has the chance to become the clubs biggest x-factor these playoffs -- Brandon Carlo.
Carlo, who came over from Boston right before the 3PM deadline on deadline day, was acquired for prospect Fraser Minten, a top-five protected first-round pick in 2026, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Carlo's name wasn't in much trade buzz leading up to the deadline and he wasn't necessarily a guy that was expected to be moved, but the Bruins completely unloaded this deadline, and Carlo was one of the guys that was shipped out of town. The 6'5" defencemen has two seasons remaining on his current contract at $4.1M annually.
Brandon Carlo could be the Maple Leafs biggest X-Factor this postseason
It's not uncommon for the Maple Leafs to add a defencemen at the deadline. Over the years, they've added Ilya Lyubushkin, Joel Edmunson, Luke Schenn, and Jake McCabe. If you'll notice, McCabe is the only one of those players still on the roster today, as the other three turned out to be half season rentals. Lyubushkin was actually a rental on two separate occasions, as he was acquired by Toronto at both the 2022 and the 2024 deadline, and left the following offseason in both instances.
The biggest upside about Carlo, aside from his size, physicality, and "stay at home" defensive style, is that he has two years left on his current ticket after this season. That gives him time to become acquainted with Rielly and the rest of the defensive core and gain some chemistry.
Carlo and Rielly have been a great match so far, with both players posting some of their best numbers of the season since they've been united. Carlo not only makes the Leafs tougher to play against, but he helps their best defenseman play like their best defenseman, and as such, he's their "x-factor."
If things stay the same over the next six games, it's looking like it's going to be the Battle of Ontario in Round 1 as the Leafs are currently lined up to play the Ottawa Senators. If that is indeed the case come game 1 of the playoffs, the Carlo addition is looking better and better.
Ottawa plays a very rough and tough style of play, lead by their captain Brady Tkachuk, and Toronto will need every ounce of physicality it can get. Carlo can absolutely help with that.