The St. Louis Blues took Justin Carbonneau with the No. 19 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.
Carbonneau is one of the older players from the 2025 class with a November 2006 birthday. The 18-year-old tore up the QMJHL this season, finishing second in the league in both goals and points.
It's easy to see how Carbonneau's game will translate to the pros. He already has an NHL-ready frame, plus great hands and a lethal shot. Even if he doesn't score enough to be a top-six forward at the next level, his energetic game will make him an effective bottom-six forward at the very least.
What they're saying
"(Carbonneau) is a very strong skater and puck-handler who can beat defenders one-on-one at full flight," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "He's a physically developed winger who plays hard and can win puck battles fairly often. His style of play is highly translatable to the NHL game with the pace and effort in his shifts. ... The one issue with Carbonneau is his decision-making at times is questionable."
"Carbonneau is a prototypical power forward with plenty of grit and smarts," NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale said. "His skating continues to improve, as does his 200-foot game."
