NHL Trade Rumors: Surprising Team Has Shown Interest In Bruins' Brandon Carlo

The Columbus Blue Jackets reportedly expressed interest in Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo earlier this season, according to Bruins insider Jimmy Murphy. 

An NHL executive revealed that Columbus had reached out to Boston about Carlo, a steady right-shot defenseman valued for his strong defensive play and penalty-killing prowess. 

Carlo, 27, is a key piece of Boston’s second defensive pairing and carries a team-friendly $4.1 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. 

His blend of size, defensive reliability, and cost control made him an appealing target for the Blue Jackets, who were seeking to strengthen their blue line.

Jamie Benn nails Brandon Carlo from behind and Nikita Zadorov takes exception 🤕👊 pic.twitter.com/0ajCguJ5OK

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 15, 2024

However, trade talks between the two teams fizzled after Columbus addressed their needs elsewhere. 

Recently, the Blue Jackets claimed defenseman Dante Fabbro off waivers from the Nashville Predators, effectively ending any potential pursuit of Carlo. 

“Any talks between the Bruins and Blue Jackets about Carlo have likely ended,” Murphy reported, noting that Fabbro’s addition filled the role Columbus was looking to reinforce. 

For the Bruins, retaining Carlo avoids creating a significant gap in their defensive structure, particularly given his importance on the penalty kill and his steady presence in a sometimes shaky lineup.

Friedman on Headlines:

-Taylor Hall is a healthy scratch tonight, we’ll see where that goes for him, he’s a player with a lot of pride.

-Bruins lose again, been looking in trade market to see if there is something that can shake them up, lots of intensity in Boston right now.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 17, 2024

Boston’s rocky start to the season has kept trade speculation alive, with General Manager Don Sweeney reportedly exploring moves to bolster the team’s forward depth. 

While Carlo remains a critical piece of the Bruins’ defensive core, the team’s inconsistency has fueled rumors of roster changes or even a coaching shakeup under head coach Jim Montgomery. 

As one NHL executive told Murphy, “Be on the lookout. People are starting to leak.” Though the Blue Jackets appear out of the mix, the Bruins remain a team to watch for potential midseason moves.

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images