Could the Oilers Be Eyeing Brandon Carlo? Goaltending Comments, Defensive Issues Fuel Trade Chatter
With the Olympic break just around the corner and the NHL trade market heating up, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in the middle of some intriguing speculation - this time involving Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo.
During the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Oilers may have “kicked tires” on Carlo. It’s not the most obvious connection on paper, but when you start pulling at the threads - especially in light of the team’s recent defensive lapses - it starts to make a bit more sense.
Jarry Sends a Message Between the Pipes
The buzz around Edmonton isn’t just about who they might be targeting - it’s also about what’s happening inside the locker room. Goaltender Tristan Jarry didn’t hold back after a tough outing against the Minnesota Wild, a game that saw the Oilers give up far too many high-danger chances. Jarry’s postgame comments weren’t just frustration - they were a message.
“We want to play fast, we want to play up, we want to play in their end,” Jarry said. “But when we’re taking some of those chances, they come back at us, and it’s tough. I think we need to make sure we're just managing the puck a little bit better.”
He didn’t stop there.
“I think the chances that we're giving up, some of the shots, they're tough. A lot of Grade As and a lot of breakdowns. It’s tough to think about your own game at this point - it’s a whole team game.”
That’s not just a goalie venting after a loss - that’s a guy drawing a line in the sand. And it’s especially notable considering how his predecessor, Stuart Skinner, handled similar situations.
As Friedman pointed out, Skinner often took the blame himself, never pointing fingers publicly. Jarry, on the other hand, is calling it like he sees it - and that could have ripple effects inside the room.
So, Do the Oilers Need Another Defenseman?
If Jarry’s comments are any indication, the answer might be yes. Edmonton has leaned heavily on its top-four defensemen, and while Mattias Ekholm has been a stabilizing force, the overall defensive structure has shown cracks - especially when it comes to limiting high-danger looks.
Friedman raised an interesting point: how will the team respond to Jarry’s comments? This isn’t a coach calling out the group - it’s a peer, a guy the team just brought in to help stabilize the net. That kind of message can either galvanize a room or cause friction, depending on how it’s received.
And that’s where the Carlo rumors come into play.
Brandon Carlo: A Fit in Edmonton?
The idea of bringing in Carlo is intriguing. He’s a veteran, a big-bodied, stay-at-home defenseman who’s not going to light up the scoresheet but can eat minutes and bring a physical edge. He’s also a player who’s taken some heat in Toronto - not necessarily because of his play alone, but because of the price the Leafs paid to get him: Fraser Minten and a first-round pick.
That’s a hefty cost, and so far, Carlo hasn’t quite been the fit the Leafs were hoping for. Some of that blame has landed on his pairing with Morgan Rielly, which hasn’t clicked the way Toronto envisioned. But that doesn’t mean Carlo can’t be effective in the right situation - and Edmonton might just be that place.
Think back to how Mattias Ekholm revitalized his game after arriving in Edmonton. It’s not a one-to-one comparison, but Carlo could benefit from a similar change of scenery, especially if slotted into a role that plays to his strengths.
What’s the Oilers’ Real Priority?
Friedman also noted that Edmonton may be more focused on finding players who can embrace third- and fourth-line roles - guys who understand their lane and can bring consistency in limited minutes. That said, if the defense continues to leave Jarry hanging out to dry, the front office might have no choice but to explore blue-line reinforcements.
Whether Carlo is that guy remains to be seen. There’s conflicting chatter - some sources say the Oilers have shown interest, others deny it. But the fact that his name is even in the mix tells us something: Edmonton knows it has to tighten up defensively if it wants to make a serious run.
And if Jarry’s words are any indication, the urgency is very real.