'Maybe After 3 O'clock, I Don't Know If They Can Even Call Me Anymore': Brandon Carlo Reacts To Joining Maple Leafs And Getting The Trade Call Late

DENVER — Brandon Carlo is eager to make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut. But perhaps more exciting for the now-former Boston Bruins defenseman is getting to skate alongside defenseman Morgan Rielly, with whom he shared many playoff battles with over the years.

"Oh man, I'm really excited to play with him. I'll say that first and foremost," Carlo said ahead of his Maple Leafs debut against his hometown Colorado Avalanche.  "Playing against him, I love his playmaking ability. He's a guy that I would watch on the bench, try and learn things from just the way that he's pursuing pucks, going back in the D zone, the way he's able to move it. And then just his offensive capability as well to kind of facilitate just a lot of things along the blue line there. The way that he can move is pretty impressive. So there's a lot to be learned from him. And I hope that we can, you know, create a good partnership."

The right-handed Carlo will provide a "stay-at-home" presence for the offensive-minded Rielly. The duo will be paired together to start.

The Leafs acquired Carlo from the Bruins at the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday in exchange for forward prospect Fraser Minten and a conditional first-round pick in 2026. Boston also retained 15 percent of Carlo's $4.1 million cap hit through the remainder of his contract.

Carlo spoke on other topics, including how late in the day he received the trade call from Boston, flying to Denver with now-former teammate Charlie Coyle, who was traded to the Avalanche and having family attend his Leafs debut.

Q: Well, how is this very quick transition been for you? What's going through your mind right now?

Yeah, it's been crazy, a lot of emotion involved. But getting here to last night a little bit later and then coming into the room this morning and meeting all the guys, it's definitely putting a little bit more at ease. Recognize the great group that they have here. So really looking forward to getting started.

Q: What excites you the most about the opportunity to be here?

Man, I think you look at the makeup of this group. I've played against these guys a lot in my past couple of years and have so much respect for the offensive talent. But overall, looking at the group on paper right now, very exciting for the opportunity that we have ahead of us. I just want to fill in the best that I can and facilitate these guys and not get in the way too much. So I'm really excited to play with some world class players here and learn from them as well.

Q: What did you make of this team in last year's playoff series specifically?

You know, that was a very close series, a hard series. It was a lot of fun. I think a lot of back and forth, the goal scoring capabilities. We had to defend really, really hard to be able to get through that series. So I'm excited to be on this side of it now. It's going to be a lot of fun to hopefully string some wins along.

Q: Was it weird going on the flight with Charlie (Coyle)?

Yeah, it was. It was strange. We even took different cars to the airport just because we didn't know what time each other was leaving. But we texted him and he was on the same flight. So we were right next to each other. It was comforting in a way to kind of be moving on with him as well. So yeah, that was nice to have him be able to communicate with.

Q: What was your reaction to just all the trades Boston made, particularly the captain going to Florida?

It was crazy. I really haven't had the time to think too much about it. You know, I think it happened pretty late in the deadline day for me. Same with Marshy (Brad Marchand) as well. But overall, I'm just grateful for my time there. I'm excited for this new experience and it's going to be a lot of fun.

Q: What do you think tonight will be like?

Just high emotion. I think I'm going to go out there and try and keep it simple the best that I can. You know, it's going to be different going around in warm-ups, not knowing your certain routines. That's all going to take time. But as I come along with this group, I feel like those will, you know, come organically. And I just want to continue to do my job the best of my ability.

Q: Playing against him, what stood out most to you about Morgan Rielly?

Oh man, I'm really excited to play with him. I'll say that first and foremost. But playing against him, I love his playmaking ability. He's a guy that I would watch on the bench, try and learn things from just the way that he's pursuing pucks, going back in the D zone, the way he's able to move it. And then just his offensive capability as well to kind of facilitate just a lot of things along the blue line there. The way that he can move is pretty impressive. So there's a lot to be learned from him. And I hope that we can, you know, create a good partnership.

Q: Family here tonight?

Yeah, I got my dad will be here. I'm not sure if my mom will be here yet. She's trying to figure out if she needs to go to Boston and help with my kids or not. But yeah, I'll have a couple of friends in town and it's really nice to be in Colorado for the first one.

Q: You obviously didn't like these guys two days ago. Was it a little awkward this morning before the ice gets broken?

No, I don't think so. You know, you've had plenty of games against these guys. I've communicated on the ice with some of them. Even you know that within the hockey world there's just a bunch of standup guys. So I'm very happy with the way that they've welcomed me in so far and I hope to continue that going.

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