The Detroit Red Wings are a big team to watch with the 2026 NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching. The Red Wings are currently in an excellent spot to snap their nine-year playoff drought this season, as they have a 35-20-6 record and are third in the Atlantic Division standings with 76 points. With this, Detroit should be among the NHL’s top buyers ahead of the deadline.
One trade need that the Red Wings have with the deadline just about here is a top-four, right-shot defenseman. It is clear that the right side of their blueline is in need of a boost, and luckily for them, there are multiple interesting right-shot defenseman trade candidates still available. One who stands out in a big way is Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Brandon Carlo.
With how poorly the Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 season has been going, there is a real chance that they will be shaking up their roster a bit ahead of the deadline. Because of this, Carlo is one Maple Leaf who has been creating chatter as a trade candidate, and he would be a perfect fit on a team on the rise like the Red Wings.
Due to this, we here at Heavy Sports have a trade pitch that would have the Maple Leafs send Carlo to the Red Wings in an Atlantic Division swap.
Red Wings Get:
- Brandon Carlo
Maple Leafs Get:
- 2026 First-Round Pick
- 2027 Fifth-Round Pick
- William Wallinder
Maple Leafs’ Carlo Is a Trade Candidate to Watch This Week
With the Maple Leafs in the middle of a rough season, Carlo is one of several players on their roster who have been the subject of trade speculation. It is understandable, as Carlo has struggled to find his fit in Toronto.
Due to this, Carlo was recently included on TSN’s latest Trade Bait board with the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching. The Maple Leafs blueliner was given the No. 42 spot.
“Five members of the Maple Leafs were listed on the updated TSN Trade Bait board Friday, starting with winger Bobby McMann at No. 7. Fellow pending unrestricted free agent Scott Laughton was listed at No. 21, followed by blueliners Oliver Ekman-Larsson (No. 25), Simon Benoit, and Brandon Carlo (No. 42). Laughton and Carlo were added by the Maple Leafs at last year’s deadline at significant cost,” TSN wrote.
When noting that the Red Wings are in need of a top-four right-shot defenseman, they should strongly consider pursuing Carlo. He would slot nicely on their second pairing and penalty kill due to his steady defensive play.
Another very appealing factor about Carlo is his good contract. The 29-year-old blueliner has a very reasonable $3.485 million cap hit until the end of next season. With this, he would be more than a rental for the Red Wings if acquired.
Red Wings Would Have Competition to Land Carlo
With contenders always on the hunt for right-shot defenseman with size and playoff experience, Carlo should be a very popular target between now and the deadline. As a result of this, if the Red Wings make a push to acquire him, they will surely not be the only team interested.
A few teams that have been looking to improve the right side of their blueline include the Dallas Stars, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and Montreal Canadiens.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Red Wings can swing a deal for Carlo ahead of the deadline. On paper, there looks like there could be a good match here.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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