(Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

By: Kevin O’Keefe | Follow me on Twitter @Kevin_OKeefe89

The Boston Bruins have just announced this afternoon they have signed defenseman Brandon Carlo to a 6-year $24.6 million contract extension with a cap hit of $4.1 million per year. This marks the first big signing for the Bruins in what will be an exciting off-season for general manager Don Sweeney. Carlo is coming off a 2-year $2.85 million bridge deal, making this a significant raise for the 24-year-old right-defenseman. 

Carlo has proven to be an important piece to this young defense core since arriving in the 2016-2017 season. The 6-foot-5 227-pound frame of Carlo allows him to play a solid shut-down style of game on the Bruins’ second-pairing. Last season he amassed 4-points through 27-games-played with a plus-1 rating. Through eight playoff games, he had zero points and an even plus/minus rating. 

Carlo, throughout his career so far, has seen his fair share of injuries. Early in his career, he missed two straight playoff runs due to injuries. This season, Carlo was limited to half the season after taking a questionable hit from Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, resulting in a concussion. Carlo again would be taken out of the playoffs in the second round against the NY Islanders after taking a clean hit from Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck. 

Moving forward for Carlo, he would like to stay healthy and be a dominant force for the Bruins as they push for a strong playoff run this upcoming season. He will be a much-needed piece for the Bruins if they hope to find themselves back in the cup finals for the first time since 2019. Carlos’s concussions should be a concern moving forward as we have seen the toll; they can take on a player first-hand, most notably with Marc Savard. Hopefully, this season will be one full of health and success for the young Bruins defenseman.