The St. Louis Blues have announced that first-round pick Justin Carbonneau has signed his entry-level contract. The 2025 19th overall pick played the last three years with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and was outstanding last season, recording 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games. Carbonneau has scored 30-plus goals in the last two seasons for Armada and could potentially be looking for a step up in competition, eyeing a spot on the Blues' opening day roster.
Justin Carbonneau stickhandling reel.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) April 18, 2025
Full-body deception, follow-up motor, exploiting defenders' triangles, first-touch moves, taking on multiple opponents, freezing their feet then attacking across their heels...
Might be the best dangler in the #2025NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/GBqbBV9Clo
It will be a steep hill for Carbonneau to climb, as there are not many available positions on the roster, especially on offense. Not to mention the Blues have not had anyone make the roster directly following their draft year since David Perron in 2007. The top two lines seem to be set in tone for the Blues, with rookie Jimmy Snuggerud likely ahead in the pecking order to take over on the first line. Carbonneau would not fit the mold you would want as a fourth-liner, meaning if he were competing for a roster spot, it would be in a competition for the spot on the Blues' third line. Carbonneau will not be the only Blues’ prospect vying for that spot on the third line, with former Blues first-round pick Dalibor Dvorsky also trying to make his mark in the NHL.
Confidence is not an issue for Carbonneau. He has made it clear he is working to round out his game. Making sure he is just as effective on the forecheck and without the puck. He is determined to show he belongs in St. Louis sooner rather than later. He is committed to trying to force his way onto the Blues roster, forgoing the opportunity to move from the QMJHL to the NCAA by signing his entry-level contract. Even if he does not make the roster this season, his work ethic will not go unnoticed. He will face competition from seasoned veterans and young players such as Alexandre Texier, Mathieu Joseph, and Dvorsky. Carbonneau will have to make himself undeniable if he wants to be in the lineup when the Blues play the Minnesota Wild on October 9th.
Throw a hit, make a play, score a goal. We like Justin Carbonneau already. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/MBZQnqbwSm
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) July 2, 2025
It will not be easy for Carbonneau. Texier and Joseph have plenty of NHL experience, and Dvorsky will have a leg up on Carbonneau because of having a season in the AHL under his belt, earning the playmaking Slovakian a call-up near the end of last season. Carbonneau will have plenty of eyeballs watching carefully during rookie camp and training camp, trying to prove that even though he was just drafted, he has what it takes to make the Blues roster.
Even if Carbonneau does not make the roster this season, with an impressive season with Armada, we could see him make his debut late in the season when the QMJHL season is over, on a trial run, as we saw with Snuggerud and Dvorsky last season. Whether or not Carbonneau is on the roster in October, one thing is certain: he will be an integral part of the team’s core for the future.