Opinion: Who Benefits the Most After the Orlov Arrival?

Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman (1), Charlie McAvoy (73), Hampus Lindholm (27) and Brandon Carlo (25) celebrate after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

When the Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov along with Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals before the trade deadline, General Manager Don Sweeney was looking to provide depth at left defense and a physical upgrade from Matt Grzelcyk, who has had difficulty with the physicality of playoff hockey in recent postseasons. What has also occurred with the acquisition of Orlov is the renewed effectiveness of defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Carlo is a solid, stay-at-home defenseman who has had his fair share of injuries and ups and downs as a member of the Boston Bruins over the last seven seasons. The 2015 second-round draft pick played a full 82 games as a 20-year-old in his first season in the NHL. In that first season, Carlo played an average of 20:49 of ice time and recorded 115 blocks with 87 hits. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound defenseman immediately became an important core member of the Bruins, but fans always seemed to want more. In their eyes, Carlo was never physical enough and did not play the same style as fellow defender Zdeno Chara. Carlo’s toughness was questioned. Then injuries would cause the Colorado native to miss postseason time, leaving fans to wonder if Carlo would ever meet his potential.

This season, Carlo started slowly but had come on since the trade that brought Orlov on board. Now Carlo can focus on not providing offense and does not have to bring the physical game to offset Grzelcyk’s skating, puck-moving style. Carlo is able to be a force on the penalty kill and registered 4:41 of shorthanded ice time in the Bruins’ Game 4 win Sunday. Carlo spent an average of 18:50 on ice in the regular season, which is down almost two minutes from his career average. The big defenseman seems refreshed and has returned to the shutdown defender the Bruins drafted in 2015.

The biggest thing for Carlo has always been his confidence level. Carlo is more assertive with the puck and makes fewer mistakes in his own zone. The Bruins have three top blue liners in Orlov, Hampus Lindholm, and Charlie McAvoy, and they all play big minutes. A lot of the pressure is taken off of Carlo now, and it shows in his play, with 13 blocks in the four playoff games.

Brandon Carlo has changed from being a frustrating player for Bruins fans to becoming a great value at 4.1 million dollars per season for the next four seasons. The 26-year-old Carlo is now an unsung hero in these playoffs and a reason why the Bruins are a win away from moving on to the second round.

Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Tanner Jeannot interest from 10 teams?- We grade the Bruins in Free Agency- Jordan Kyrou to the Bruins?- Predicting James Hagens career& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season
  2. Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins
  3. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  4. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  5. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.

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