The Toronto Maple Leafs’ defense corps looks exactly the same as last season heading into 2025-26.
All six defensemen who made up their playoff blue line are locked in with term on their contracts, meaning a bold trade would be the only way to shake things up.
That obviously hasn’t happened; however, many believe general manager Brad Treliving should continue pursuing some change on the back end.
Caleb Kerney of Heavy Sports is in favor of it, recently proposing a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, seeing Brandt Clarke and Brandon Carlo swapped for one another.
Maple Leafs receive: Brandt Clarke
Kings receive: Brandon Carlo
“This trade would be significant for both teams. The Maple Leafs would acquire the offensive defender they are looking for, while the Kings make their defense group even more difficult to play against. In this proposal, the Maple Leafs add Clarke, 22, who was drafted eighth overall in the 2021 entry draft. The 6-foot-2, 200 lb, right-handed defenseman recorded 33 points in 78 games, while averaging 16:17 in ice time per night,” Kerney said.
“In return for Clarke, the Kings would add Brandon Carlo, 28, a solid defense-first defender. Initially drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2015 (37th overall), Carlo was traded to the Maple Leafs before this past season’s trade deadline. In 83 games, he recorded 12 points, 78 shots, 90 hits, and 157 blocks while averaging 18:53 per game,” Kerney added.
Clarke is entering the final season of his three-year, $2.59 million entry-level contract with the Kings, while Carlo has two more years left on the six-year, $24.6 million deal he originally signed with the Bruins back in 2021.
This type of shake-up makes sense for Toronto
The Los Angeles Kings may not be ready to give up on Brandt Clarke just yet, but if they were willing to make this swap, then the Toronto Maple Leafs should pounce.
Toronto’s blueline consists of veteran defensive defensemen for the most part, with Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson relied upon to sprinkle in some offense.
They’ve proven to be capable of shutting down their opponents, but what’s needed is someone with a skill set like Brandt Clarke. His speed, puck-moving ability, and offensive pop would balance things out for the Maple Leafs.
It will be difficult to make a move of this magnitude before the start of the season, though we should keep an eye on Treliving in the lead-up to the deadline, especially if Toronto starts slow in 2025-26.
