Minten's outstanding performance sparks regret over Leafs' trade

Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten. Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images

Fraser Minten's outstanding performance sparks major regret over Leafs' deadline trade with Bruins

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 1:15 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs included prospect Fraser Minten in the deal with the Bruins in exchange for Brandon Carlo, a move they may now be regretting.

The Maple Leafs felt that they needed to beef up their blue line for the stretch run leading up to the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, and they pulled off a rare trade with their Original 6 and Atlantic Division foe Boston Bruins.

The Leafs acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Bruins and in return sent prospect Fraser Minten along with a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to Boston.

While it wasn't the easiest of decisions for general manager Brad Treliving to move a highly regarded prospect to a divisional foe, he hopes it pays off in the long run (and more immediately with postseason success in this especially pivotal year for his club).

Fraser Minten Already Making Waves In Boston

However, Minten is making the Leafs consider if moving him was the best option.

He's already lighting it up with the AHL's Providence Bruins, having picked up a natural hat trick in Sunday's game against the Springfield Falcons.

The Leafs made Minten the 38th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and he's played the bulk of his professional career in the minors with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers along with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

He has 19 total NHL games under his belt with four points (2G, 2A). He scored his first NHL goal earlier this season only seconds into his first shift, which was a hopeful sign of things to come for the future of Minten with the team, but it was short-lived.

Before being traded to the Bruins, Minten had 13 points (6G, 7A) in 26 games with the Marlies. He struggled over his past dozen or so games, but with his latest outburst of production, it's safe to say he's finding his offensive game. Which is a hard pill to swallow if you're a Maple Leafs fan.

This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

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