Player Discussion Brandon Carlo III

[Over the volcano]

In so many cases, it's really hard to dislike a player who is as good a person as Carlo seems to be.

I get his value as a strictly defensive defenseman. If we were just judging him on his defensive ability/positioning, etc. for his career he's a solid B+/A-.

The problem is that once the puck settles onto his stick, that B+/A- goes to a D+/C-, at best.

Too many plays die in the offensive zone when he's involved for my liking.

Not in the playoffs last year. . .

Man what a letdown this season has been for so many players on this team.

 

[NDiesel]

In so many cases, it's really hard to dislike a player who is as good a person as Carlo seems to be.

I get his value as a strictly defensive defenseman. If we were just judging him on his defensive ability/positioning, etc. for his career he's a solid B+/A-.

The problem is that once the puck settles onto his stick, that B+/A- goes to a D+/C-, at best.

Too many plays die in the offensive zone when he's involved for my liking.

You can clearly see he's starting to regress this year. Maybe it's because the team sucks, but I suspect concussions are catching up to him. For once it would be nice for Sweeney to move on before the player's value plummets.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

In so many cases, it's really hard to dislike a player who is as good a person as Carlo seems to be.

I get his value as a strictly defensive defenseman. If we were just judging him on his defensive ability/positioning, etc. for his career he's a solid B+/A-.

The problem is that once the puck settles onto his stick, that B+/A- goes to a D+/C-, at best.

Too many plays die in the offensive zone when he's involved for my liking.

Yep, good summary, and that's why he's paid $4m rather than 6 or 7. The market tends to shift a little year to year as to what is worth a first or a second round pick. Feels like Carlo is in 2nd territory, but it depends how much demand there is. I've seen less-deserving guys than Brandon earn inflated returns, even allowing for a down year, so you never know.

 

[The Storm]

Yep, good summary, and that's why he's paid $4m rather than 6 or 7. The market tends to shift a little year to year as to what is worth a first or a second round pick. Feels like Carlo is in 2nd territory, but it depends how much demand there is. I've seen less-deserving guys than Brandon earn inflated returns, even allowing for a down year, so you never know.

I don't trade Brandon Carlo for anything less than a 1st round pick as part of the package. RHD are hard to find. Otherwise pound sand.

 

[JAD]

Yep, good summary, and that's why he's paid $4m rather than 6 or 7. The market tends to shift a little year to year as to what is worth a first or a second round pick. Feels like Carlo is in 2nd territory, but it depends how much demand there is. I've seen less-deserving guys than Brandon earn inflated returns, even allowing for a down year, so you never know.

I would not trade Carlo this year for less than a first plus ... his cap hit is too good, he is only 28, and he has two years left. That is a bargain for any team.
Aside from that, trading him now would leave a massive hole on the right side without a defensman of his experience coming back from somewhere. Plus it would probably cost Boston 6 - 7 mil to replace him in FA. Unless they went bargain basement, old retred or wannabe, and people will wish we still had Carlo.

 

[22Brad Park]

I would not trade Carlo this year for less than a first plus ... his cap hit is too good, he is only 28, and he has two years left. That is a bargain for any team.
Aside from that, trading him now would leave a massive hole on the right side without a defensman of his experience coming back from somewhere. Plus it would probably cost Boston 6 - 7 mil to replace him in FA. Unless they went bargain basement, old retred or wannabe, and people will wish we still had Carlo.

If Flames would give Bruins Connor Zary and a pick then I will drive Carlo go the airport myself.This move helps Bruins future and pushes towards a better pick.Cap is going up they can fix that hole later.Not like they are heading towards the Cup anytime soon.Zary has alot of potential ( 22 pts 45 games) is young ( 23) and plays Centre. .

 

[mjhfb]

Don't forget if they do trade Carlo then they'll need to plug the hole at 2nd pair right defense.
Assuming McAvoy stays at 1st pair and Peake stays at 3rd, they don't have a 2nd pair right shot D unless they feel confident in a lefty like Mason playing his off side the whole season.

 

[Hookslide]

I don't trade Brandon Carlo for anything less than a 1st round pick as part of the package. RHD are hard to find. Otherwise pound sand.

Right, and they should hold firm, maybe should try and squeeze a little more, worth a shot, has been done to Donnie, and he folds and the other team gets what they want.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Don't forget if they do trade Carlo then they'll need to plug the hole at 2nd pair right defense.
Assuming McAvoy stays at 1st pair and Peake stays at 3rd, they don't have a 2nd pair right shot D unless they feel confident in a lefty like Mason playing his off side the whole season.

Yeah they will, and they'll need to sign someone to do it. But I don't see it as a reason not to trade Carlo. The team needs change, and not just in a small way. It needs a proper shake up. That means not just moving fringe pieces like Frederic, but some more established guys too.

I've nothing against Carlo in particular. Been a good, mostly reliable player for us for a long time. But the book on him as a Bruin has well and truly been written. We know his strengths and weaknesses. He's been an outer part of a core that has consistently failed to get it done when it matters most for years. Enough. Time to try something new. Appreciate they'll probably need to overpay for a replacement, but I'm ok with that, within reason, as long as it's done smartly. There's risk in it, for sure, but the old adage applies.

 

[The don godfather]

If Brandon does go I will miss him . Played tons of solid minutes for us against the best. Suberb personally and cares for his teammates. Assistant captain material for any team.

 

[BMC]

Yeah they will, and they'll need to sign someone to do it. But I don't see it as a reason not to trade Carlo. The team needs change, and not just in a small way. It needs a proper shake up. That means not just moving fringe pieces like Frederic, but some more established guys too.

I've nothing against Carlo in particular. Been a good, mostly reliable player for us for a long time. But the book on him as a Bruin has well and truly been written. We know his strengths and weaknesses. He's been an outer part of a core that has consistently failed to get it done when it matters most for years. Enough. Time to try something new. Appreciate they'll probably need to overpay for a replacement, but I'm ok with that, within reason, as long as it's done smartly. There's risk in it, for sure, but the old adage applies.

"....as long as it's done smartly". See, this is the issue for me. IMO present management has shown this is something they can't do. Clean house first & then go from there.

Besides trading Carlo opens another hole, this one at 2RD and RD don't exactly grow on trees.

 

[Guelph Bruin]

We need a bundle trade to get a decent return IMO, Carlo and Freddy are the obvious candidates. Carlo has a decent contract for what he is, he's an attractive trade chip but also a useful but albeit limited player. He has scored more goals that EL though, just into his own net.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

"....as long as it's done smartly". See, this is the issue for me. IMO present management has shown this is something they can't do. Clean house first & then go from there.

Besides trading Carlo opens another hole, this one at 2RD and RD don't exactly grow on trees.

Perhaps, perhaps, but that is a separate discussion I suppose.

And yes, RDs don't grow on trees. Finding a good one may not be easy. But it doesn't change my basic position - if this team just runs it back with much the same roster, they will fail again. They need to try something different. Maybe it's not Carlo specifically that's one of the ones that needs to go. But the re-tool needs to be done seriously, with clear-eyed intent and calculated risk, or it's a waste of time.

 

[sarge88]

Perhaps, perhaps, but that is a separate discussion I suppose.

And yes, RDs don't grow on trees. Finding a good one may not be easy. But it doesn't change my basic position - if this team just runs it back with much the same roster, they will fail again. They need to try something different. Maybe it's not Carlo specifically that's one of the ones that needs to go. But the re-tool needs to be done seriously, with clear-eyed intent and calculated risk, or it's a waste of time.

Here’s the thing, every player brings something different, but one thing is certain, it will be harder to find a replacement that is worse offensively, than it will be to find a replacement who is more well rounded.

 

[RI.B FAN]

I would't trade him unless the return is overwhelming, and it wont be. Playoff performer, still good age and contract. where can we find guys like that?

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I would't trade him unless the return is overwhelming, and it wont be. Playoff performer, still good age and contract. where can we find guys like that?

Ok, who on D are you moving then?

 

[Dr Hook]

Ok, who on D are you moving then?

I am not 100% convinced they need to move anyone on D. That has to be secondary to fixing the forward corps. A healthy Lindholm and McAvoy, Zadorov, Carlo, Peeke and Lohrei are a good group. Maybe a puck mover for one of the pairings if you want to move on from Carlo, but that is a solid D corps.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I am not 100% convinced they need to move anyone on D. That has to be secondary to fixing the forward corps. A healthy Lindholm and McAvoy, Zadorov, Carlo, Peeke and Lohrei are a good group. Maybe a puck mover for one of the pairings if you want to move on from Carlo, but that is a solid D corps.

Maybe, but to continue the exercise, what are your default pairings?

 

[22Brad Park]

I would't trade him unless the return is overwhelming, and it wont be. Playoff performer, still good age and contract. where can we find guys like that?

Playoffs might be off the menu for a bit

 

[Dr Hook]

Maybe, but to continue the exercise, what are your default pairings?

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zado-Carlo
Lohrei-Peeke

With variants depending on need and opponent. That second pair might not work with puck movement which is where you can make a case to move Carlo for a guy that is better in that area.

 

[Bradely]

I like Carlo.

 

[22Brad Park]

I like Carlo.

I doubt Sweeney moves him.

 

[Dr Hook]

I like Carlo.

I’ve always liked him too, but this year has been tough. I think there’s a good case for moving him even though I won’t be upset if they keep him. The issue is that the Bruins need a puck mover. You could put Lohrei with him , but I don’t see Zado on a third pairing , or Carlo either, as that is waste of both their skillsets and salary.

If it’s down to Zado or Carlo I’d rather keep Zado because he brings something different and something that I think is more valuable to the team at this point.

 

[Bradely]

I’ve always liked him too, but this year has been tough. I think there’s a good case for moving him even though I won’t be upset if they keep him. The issue is that the Bruins need a puck mover. You could put Lohrei with him , but I don’t see Zado on a third pairing , or Carlo either, as that is waste of both their skillsets and salary.

Nothing went well for Boston.. from the number one in net, with 63 surgery, with Montgomery, with new additions, with the training camp etc...... I rarely have seen what I witness this year. Except for Pasta production, Korpi (but everyone had low expectation) 47 and Geekie, who had a good year up to now!

IMO Carlo is a big body, I consider him being a good D and seems a great teammate.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zado-Carlo
Lohrei-Peeke

With variants depending on need and opponent. That second pair might not work with puck movement which is where you can make a case to move Carlo for a guy that is better in that area.

Yeah see that middle pairing is the problem to me. Not nimble enough, too error-prone. And if you look at the other options, well Lohrei and Carlo is a proven train wreck. Lindy and Carlo works but Hampus is also the only guy who can really pair well for long periods with McAvoy, and that has to take priority. So I want to see Brandon moved and replaced with someone who matches well with either Zadorov or Lohrei. Probably a responsible, crafty puck mover along the lines you suggested that can pair with Zads.

I think getting the pairing chemistry right is really important, and the Bs just haven't had that this year, even when Lindholm was healthy. Moving Carlo is the easiest and hopefully most effective way I see to solve that.