What happened: The St. Louis Blues have acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo, with the deal surfacing during the second day of the 2026 NHL Draft. The move landed amid a flurry of Rounds 2-7 activity as teams reshaped their rosters.

Why it matters: Carlo is a big, defensive-minded blue-liner known for shot-blocking and penalty-kill minutes, and he gives St. Louis added size and stability on the back end. For a Blues team retooling its defensive corps, adding a proven shutdown presence reshapes the pairings heading into the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Watch for the full terms of the deal and what St. Louis sent in return, plus how Carlo slots into the Blues' top-four rotation.