What happened: The 29-year-old defenseman said the June move to St. Louis felt like relief after a season in Toronto that he judged below his standard. St. Louis acquired Carlo on June 27 for two 2026 third-round picks to add a 6-foot-5 right-shot veteran to its blue line.

Why it matters: The Blues already cast the draft-week trade for Carlo as an experience play, using him to steady a defense group with younger options pushing for spots. He also enters 2026-27 on an expiring contract with a $4.1 million cap hit, making this season a useful read on whether the fit lasts beyond one year.

What to watch: Training camp should show where Carlo slots into the Blues' top six and how much penalty-kill work he handles. His early usage will be the clearest sign of how much responsibility St. Louis expects him to carry.