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Fraser Minten, Boston Bruins (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

Bruins Won Fraser Minten Trade With the Maple Leafs

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Josh Deeds | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 8:25 AM ET

On March 7, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded top prospect Fraser Minten and a 2026 top-five protected first-round pick to the Boston Bruins. Right-shot defenseman Brandon Carlo was sent to the Maple Leafs in return, as the Original Six team intended to bolster the right side of the blue line.

The Maple Leafs wanted to build a team stable enough to make a deep postseason run in the Atlantic Division, and Carlo was a player to stabilize the defense. Carlo’s short run last season with the Maple Leafs saw him play 20 regular-season games, recording three points. The blueliner also played 13 postseason games and was held scoreless.

Fraser Minten’s Quick Start With the Bruins

Minten’s arrival in Boston was met with excitement, as the 38th overall pick in 2022 joined a Bruins team that went from being annual contenders up until 2023 to plucky underdogs, as we’ve seen in the past few seasons. He played six games and recorded one point in 2024-25, and acclimated to a team in the midst of chaos.

In 2025-26, Minten has played 57 games and recorded 29 points as a top prospect in the Bruins system. He’s sixth amongst NHL rookies in points and averages 14:41 of ice time a night. He may not be a future Calder Trophy winner, but for his value, he’s exceeded expectations for the Bruins as a rookie.

Sad to see Carlo go, but a great trade. Good draft capital and Minten is a promising young developing player.
— it's hockey time (31-20-3) (8-1-2-2) (@CommanderVolkov) March 8, 2025

According to Natural Stat Trick, the rookie forward’s best linemates this season were Marat Khusnutdinov and David Pastrnak. The trio played only nine games together this season and controlled the ice with a 54.65 Corsi for percentage (CF%), playing 58:52 together.

They were on the ice for seven goals for and two goals against, not perfect, but it gave the team an edge when they played on the same line. Minten’s new linemates are Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt, who provide a 62.75 CF%, with three goals for and one goal against.

With his straight-line speed, good hockey IQ and sound defensive ability, he can make plays under pressure. Owns an effective wrist shot. Is mature beyond his years and the type of player who can be used in all situations. His skating ability is improving and he competes well. Has to avoid a tendency to play too much on the perimeter.

– Sports Forecaster

Could Minten evolve into the next Patrice Bergeron? It’s too early to tell his true ceiling as a center, but his play has lent well to the team’s retool.

A first-round pick and a fourth-round pick came in the trade for Minten; the fourth-rounder was used to pick Vashek Blanár, a 6-foot-5, 192-pound defenseman, 100th overall. He’s provided physical play and offensive upside for HV71 Jr. in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), giving the Bruins positional depth and dimension in the prospect pipeline.

General manager Don Sweeney still has a first-round pick in 2026 to add to a depleted prospect pipeline and could give the retooling team more talent to develop in the future.

Who Won the Trade Between the Bruins and Maple Leafs?

Sweeney may not have the best track record for drafting talent, but this was a masterclass in trading within their own division. They upgraded their forward group with Minten, who has lived up to his projections as a middle-six forward. It’s too early to say this is where he’ll stay, given he’s only played 82 games in the NHL.

For the Maple Leafs, Carlo has played 34 games this season, recording five points as a defensive defenseman. He’s managed to stay on the positive side of the plus/minus rating with a plus-4 on a Maple Leafs team destined for the bottom of the Atlantic at this point in the season.

The Bruins haven’t utilized their first-round pick in 2026 yet, but it appears they’re coming out ahead of their existential rivals, the Maple Leafs, after the trade.