Brandon Carlo is settling in, sees ‘great potential’ for Maple Leafs this season

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Brandon Carlo is starting to feel comfortable with his new team.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo. © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Carlo is trying to simplify his game, take one shift at a time, and while the Maple Leafs didn’t get the result they were looking for Saturday night in the Battle of Ontario against the Ottawa Senators, Carlo thinks the only difference in the game was a couple of small bounces.

“I think just hitting the net, getting it on net a little bit more. Throughout the game there were oppourtunities where we could have played behind them a little bit more,” Carlo said post-game, following Toronto’s 4-2 loss.

“Overall, if we hit the net on a couple of chances, including myself, that might be a different game.”

Carlo certainly brings a sense of accountability to his game, and he’s starting to feel more comfortable with the group. The 6-foot-5 defenceman brings a ton of leadership qualities to the Maple Leafs’ dressing room, carrying over from the Boston Bruins. He understands the leadership group of the Leafs have a tough job, and he’s hopeful his intangibles and 72 games of playoff experience can help out when needed. “I mean coming into this market, it’s not easy, but the way that these guys carry themselves, their confidence each day, it’s an example that I would like to follow, and be a part of as well. Staying even keel is a big thing, never getting to high, or too low.”

On the ice through four games, Carlo has recorded one assist, is averaging 19:23 of ice-time per game, including over two minutes on the penalty kill. Carlo’s been paired mostly with Morgan Rielly so far in his Leafs’ tenure, with hopes that the two can create some legitimate chemistry, to help get the inconsistent Rielly back on track before the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“I feel like I’m getting there,” when asked about how Carlo’s making the adjustment to Toronto. “I feel like these guys are easy to find in certain ways, they do a great job making themselves available for passes and breakouts. There’s a lot within this group that I like, and going forward, there’s a lot of great potential here.”

The Maple Leafs are in a funk, they’ve lost five of six games, and Carlo feels it’s back to the drawing board for the boys in blue.

“I think just focusing one shift at a time. It’s the process, not the end result. For us, just going out there, doing our duties throughout the shift, that’s all we need to be focusing on right now.”