The St. Louis Blues signed 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau to his entry-level (ELC) deal on Wednesday, PuckPedia reported. The deal marks the culmination of a long road that led Carbonneau from backyard rink games to the NHL.
Carbonneau now enters the 2025-26 season looking to crack the Blues’ lineup. Earning a spot won’t be easy, but he’s determined to make a name for himself.
In an interview with Marco D’Amico of RG Media published on September 9, Carbonneau talked about his willingness to leave everything on the ice for his new team.
Carbonneau explained his plan to make the Blues out of camp this season:
“I’m known as an offensive player that’s able to create plays, but I really wanted to show that I can be effective on the forecheck and without the puck.”
That’s the sort of player the Blues will need to succeed this season. There’s no doubt about the 18-year-old’s offensive skills. Last season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL, he scored 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games. That’s an impressive total even for a league known for its unbridled offense.
But now, it’s all a question of rounding out his game. That situation prompted Carbonneau to state:
“I want to show that I can be played in all situations and that’s a necessity to be ready to crack an NHL roster. I need to work to show I can be trust and bring value to my teammates.”
The Blues will do everything they can to give their prized prospect an opportunity to make the club. As long as Carbonneau maintains the right mindset, he’ll have a fighting chance.
The young forward summed up his thoughts by stating:
“I have nothing to lose, I’m showing up to win a spot at camp. And, if not, I’ll be going back to an excellent situation with the Armada, where we get to compete for a President’s Cup.”
Another season in Junior won’t hurt Carbonneau, especially if it ends in a championship.
Carbonneau passed on NCAA to have chance to play with St. Louis Blues
Since the agreement between Canadian Junior teams and the NCAA, numerous players have hopped from Canada to the collegiate ranks in the US to continue their pre-NHL careers.
Justin Carbonneau was faced with such a decision. However, opting to play in the NCAA would have precluded him from signing the entry-level contract he inked on Wednesday. So, he opted to return to the QMJHL for one more season in case he doesn’t make the Blues out of camp.
The decision could lead the Blues to keep Carbonneau on the team and give him a free nine-game trial. It’s worth pointing out that the Blues can play Carbonneau for nine games this season without burning the first year of his ELC. If he plays 10 or more, that would count toward the first year of his three-year contract.
The NHL experience could be a valuable one for the Quebec native. The Blues would like to see what they have in Carbonneau before deciding on his future this season. Perhaps he’ll hit the ground running and make a name for himself on the team.
There might be a spot for Carbonneau in the bottom six, particularly with the fourth line looking a little iffy. While he doesn’t project as a fourth-liner, Carbonneau could work his way up. Injuries and inconsistency could open the door for an opportunity to make a great impression on the club.