When the St. Louis traded for Brandon Carlo this summer, more than a few eyebrows were raised.
The deal was met with some skepticism, not because of what the Blues paid for the veteran blueliner, but because of how Carlo would fit into the team. Carlo’s fit on the team wasn’t necessarily about becoming a mainstay on the blue line. It was more about protecting prospects like Logan Mailloux and Theo Lindstein.
At first glance, the connection to Jim Montgomery was evident. Carlo was one of Montgomery’s most trusted pieces during their tenure with the Boston Bruins.
But as Blues insider Jeremy Rutherford noted, there was another dimension to this trade. And it was all about the organization’s prospects.
During a recent appearance on The Athletic’s Hockey Show, Rutherford talked about how the Blues failed to protect Logan Mailloux at the beginning of last season. In particular, the club went with a pairing of Mailloux and Tyler Tucker, seemingly leaving the 23-year-old blueliner’s inexperience exposed. That was the main cause for his early-season struggles last year.
In comparison, the Blues sheltered Tucker somewhat by pairing him with Ryan Suter previously. Playing with a solid veteran allowed Tucker to gain confidence moving forward. And that’s why Carlo made sense at this juncture.
Mailloux was fortunate enough to bounce back in the latter portion of the season and really show what he had. That helped cement his role on the team and provide the Blues with another promising defenseman.
However, acquiring Carlo wasn’t about Mailloux. It was more about Theo Lindstein.
Blues hope Carlo can shelter Lindstein, provide cover for Mailloux
By having a trusted player like Carlo, Montgomery can throw him over the boards and not really worry too much. That is, of course, assuming that Carlo is fully healthy this upcoming season.
That’s a crucial element the Blues didn’t have last season, especially after the club traded Justin Faulk to the Detroit Red Wings. Carlo’s presence allows Montgomery to take some of the pressure off Mailloux, while also protecting Lindstein.
Partnering Carlo and Lindstein would not be the worst idea in the world. In fact, it would give the 21-year-old a chance to play his game without excessive concern over his shortcomings being exposed.
If the plan works out, and there’s no reason to assume it won’t, the Blues could have themselves one of the better bluelines in the Western Conference.
While there’s still work to be done, there’s plenty of cause for optimism. The Blues have a 25-year-old Philip Broberg, Mailloux, and Lindstein as young defensemen coming into their prime. If the Blues can get solid seasons out of veterans like Carlo, Cam Fowler, and Colton Parayko, the club might just surprise more than a handful of people.
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