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NHL
How Maple Leafs could lose 2026 NHL Draft pick after disastrous trade
TL;DR
The Toronto Maple Leafs risk losing their 2026 NHL Draft pick due to a trade for Brandon Carlo. If their pick falls outside the top five in the draft lottery, it will go to the Boston Bruins.
Key points
- Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Brandon Carlo at 2025 deadline
- Risk of losing 2026 NHL Draft pick
- Pick goes to Boston Bruins if outside top five
Brandon CarloToronto Maple LeafsBoston Bruins
The Toronto Maple Leafs made what they perceived was a win-now deal for defenseman Brandon Carlo at the 2025 trade deadline.
It turned out to be more of a lose-indefinitely deal.
Toronto is at risk of losing its first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft depending on how tonight's NHL Draft Lottery shakes out. If the Maple Leafs' pick falls outside the top-five, they'll send their selection to the Boston Bruins as part of the Carlo deal.
Let's get into how the Maple Leafs got here and what their draft lottery night could look like.
The franchise-altering trade
Toronto was among the NHL's best teams by the 2025 trade deadline and was looking to add the right piece to get Auston Matthews and Co. over the dreaded playoff hump. The Leafs reportedly considered Rasmus Andersson, Mikko Rantanen, Luke Schenn and Rasmus Ristolainen before ultimately landing on Carlo, whose time in Toronto has been underwhelming and injury-ridden.
In exchange for Carlo, Toronto gave up forward Fraser Minten, a 2025 fourth-round pick and a top-five protected 2026 first-round pick. Minten has since become a rising star in Boston, while the 2026 pick has a strong chance of landing somewhere in the 5-10 range.
Q&A
What could cause the Maple Leafs to lose their 2026 NHL Draft pick?
The Maple Leafs could lose their 2026 NHL Draft pick if it falls outside the top five in the draft lottery.
Who will the Maple Leafs send their 2026 draft pick to if they lose it?
If the Maple Leafs lose their pick, it will be sent to the Boston Bruins as part of the trade for Brandon Carlo.
What was the trade deal involving Brandon Carlo for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs made a win-now deal for defenseman Brandon Carlo at the 2025 trade deadline, which now risks costing them their 2026 first-round pick.
