St. Louis Blues Select Justin Carbonneau 19th Overall in 2025 NHL Draft
The St. Louis Blues selected Justin Carbonneau 19th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. A skilled right winger with size, scoring touch, and grit, Carbonneau brings top-six potential and power-play value t
The St. Louis Blues added a dynamic offensive weapon to their prospect pipeline with the selection of Justin Carbonneau, a right winger from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL), at 19th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. At 6’1” and 205 lbs, Carbonneau brings size, skill, and a fearless scoring touch that makes him a standout addition to the Blues’ system.
2024–25 Season Highlights
2nd in QMJHL scoring with 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games, a significant jump from his 31 goals and 59 points in 2023–24.
Tied for 2nd in power-play goals (16), showcasing a dangerous shot and sharp offensive instincts.
A right-shot winger, Carbonneau joins a deep group of Blues forward prospects and could be the club’s top natural right wing outside of Jimmy Snuggerud.
Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong on Carbonneau
“He’s a goal-scorer, someone that enjoys the fruits of his labor of scoring goals, someone who brings us another element… he’s a good complement with Snuggerud, Kyrou, Bolduc, “Buch”, and “Holly”, who can score goals.”
Carbonneau on His Game
“I compare myself to Adrian Kempe and Travis Konecny. Kempe—I think his size, speed, and shot—I think I bring that. And Konecny—his mindset. I’m not scared of anyone. I score goals in the paint and dirty areas.”
Scouting Report (via Elite Prospects)
“Although he’s not a power forward in the purest sense, he can hit, retrieve pucks, protect them, and drive them right to the cage. Operating away from the puck, Carbonneau displays a honed ability to create space for himself and receive pucks. Adapting his speed to stay in passing lanes, circling behind defenders, and popping in pockets at just the right time, he catches and rifles pucks easily past the goalie. His deep skating posture and puck control add power and precision to his shot.”
Draft Pick Analysis
The Blues addressed a key area of need—high-end offensive talent on the right wing—by selecting Carbonneau. His self-comparison to Kempe and Konecny highlights his style built on size, speed, tenacity, and a fearless mentality. His 46 goals and 89 points in the QMJHL this season, including 16 on the power play, speak to his finishing ability and potential to contribute on special teams.
Carbonneau plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to drive the net. His powerful skating, quick release, and off-puck movement allow him to exploit defensive gaps and score in high-danger areas. His physicality and fearless mindset, akin to Konecny’s, add grit to his skill set.
However, Carbonneau’s game has areas for growth. His defensive awareness and decision-making under pressure need refinement, and while his skating is strong, he could improve the efficiency of his stride to boost explosiveness at the next level. With that in mind, Carbonneau is expected to spend another season or two in junior or the NCAA before contending for a roster spot at the pro level.
Passing on a right-shot defenseman in favor of Carbonneau seemed to be a calculated decision by the Blues to take the best player available. Armstrong mentioned Carbonneau as a player in one of their blocks of players they liked and preferred to stay within that block before moving down to a next group of players. With that in mind, it seems like they could have viewed some of the defensemen on the board not in the same category for the 19th overall selection. With most scouting services ranking him between 10–20 overall (including No. 16 on NHL Central Scouting’s North American list), this could prove to be a high-value selection.
Outlook
Carbonneau’s mix of size, skill, physicality, and fearlessness gives him top-six upside and the potential to become a future power-play contributor. As Doug Armstrong noted, he fits well with the Blues’ core of offensive threats and adds a distinct element: a goal-scorer who thrives in the dirty areas and doesn’t shy away from physical play. While his development will require patience, Blues fans should be excited about Carbonneau’s long-term potential to become a dangerous, high-impact winger in St. Louis
This is a major win for the Blues. Players like Justin are playoff caliber talent and hard to find. Easily a top fifteen pick, the Blues were lucky to have him available. Outstanding pick by the Blues!