With the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the St. Louis Blues selected Justin Carbonneau, a right winger from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL. This Quebec native brings a dynamic offensive skillset to the Blues' prospect pool. At 6'1" and 205 lbs, Carbonneau combines size and skill with a fearless scoring touch.
In the 2024-25 season, Carbonneau significantly elevated his game, scoring 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games, placing him second in QMJHL scoring. He also tied for second in power-play goals with 16, demonstrating a dangerous shot and sharp offensive instincts. This marked a substantial jump from his 31 goals and 59 points the previous season. His performance earned him QMJHL First Team All-Star honors.
Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong highlighted Carbonneau's goal-scoring ability and the unique element he brings to the team. Armstrong sees him as a complement to existing Blues players like Snuggerud, Kyrou, Bolduc, Buchnevich, and Thomas, all of whom can contribute to the scoresheet.
Carbonneau compares himself to Adrian Kempe and Travis Konecny, noting similarities in size, speed, and shot to Kempe, and a comparable mindset to Konecny. He describes himself as unafraid of anyone and willing to score goals in the "dirty areas".
Scouting reports praise Carbonneau's ability to create space and receive passes, adapting his speed to stay in passing lanes and finding pockets of open ice. His puck control and skating posture add power and precision to his shot. While not a pure power forward, he can hit, retrieve pucks, protect them, and drive them to the net.
While Carbonneau possesses an explosive skill set and speed, his defensive game needs further development, particularly in coverage and positioning. He excels in transition, using his shiftiness to navigate the neutral zone and generate offensive opportunities. He shows power forward potential, protecting the puck and working into high-danger areas. Carbonneau's versatility allows him to be both a shooting threat and a playmaker.
Daily Faceoff draft expert Steven Ellis notes Carbonneau's excellent shot release and willingness to do whatever it takes to generate offense. Ellis suggests Carbonneau could improve his shot selection and location, but sees significant potential for him to become a player similar to Brock Boeser.
The Blues have addressed a key need by drafting Carbonneau: high-end offensive talent on the right wing. He projects as a top-six scoring forward who can drive play from the right side. While it may take a few years for Carbonneau to fully develop and make an impact at the NHL level, his offensive skills and potential make him a valuable addition to the Blues organization.
