With the NHL trade deadline just days away on March 7, trade rumors are intensifying across the league, and the Calgary Flames are making waves in recent speculation. The Flames are in an intriguing position as both potential buyers and sellers, aiming to stay competitive while avoiding the addition of rental players. As part of their strategy, it’s no surprise that they are reportedly eyeing a defenseman with term from the Boston Bruins—28-year-old Brandon Carlo.
Carlo, a key figure on the Bruins’ defense since 2015, is a strong-skating, right-shot defenseman with a $4.1 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season and a 10-team no-trade clause. While Boston isn’t actively shopping him, the team is reportedly open to trade talks if the right offer comes in. The Bruins, currently clinging to a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, are facing injuries to top defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. A trade involving Carlo would likely signal that the Bruins are preparing to write off the remainder of the season.
Brandon Carlo
What makes the Flames’ interest in Carlo particularly interesting is that they were initially expected to be sellers, but their strong play in the 2024-25 season has changed that outlook. Now holding the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Flames are looking to improve their defense not just for the present season but for the future as well.
The competition for top-four right-shot defensemen like Carlo has intensified, especially after the Chicago Blackhawks traded Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers, securing a first-round pick and a goaltender in return. With Jones being a more expensive option than Carlo, the Bruins could be testing the waters to see what kind of return they might receive for him. If the Flames pursue Carlo, the final hours of the trade deadline could see a bidding war, making it one of the most intriguing storylines to watch in the coming days.
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