The NHL Draft is almost upon us and for most of us, the lead-up is like Christmas morning. There is so much hype around these prospects and where they will land, it is an exciting time. It's even more exciting when you hear all the trade rumours that are being talked about and what your favourite NHL team could be cooking up behind the scenes.
But before we get too involved in the rumours that are swirling, we need to take a second and look at another potential draft target for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have pick 14 and 20 in the first round.
My colleague Jason Newland and I have already broken down a ton of prospects that could be great fits for the Blue Jackets. However, today we are going to dive into another one and look at Justin Carbonneau as a potential draftee of the organization.
Scouting Report
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
2024–25 Stats: 46 G, 43 A, 89 P, 61 PIM
DOB: Nov. 25, 2006
Position: RW
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 192 lbs
Carbonneau from Lévis, Quebec has been known for his passing ability and his quick hands. He is a very intelligent hockey player who has been described as someone who can do just about anything. He is a strong skater who plays well on both sides of the puck and has some of the best vision in the entire draft. Interestingly enough, Carbonneau is considered to have both playmaking and power forward DNA, he can hit, battle along the boards and in front of the net. While also passing the puck through three players to hit his teammates.
At times, he can struggle with positioning. He can get caught roaming around the ice and be out of position. But he can easily make up for that with a quick pass to find his teammate wide open in the offensive zone. He thinks the game very well, which really helps him on the rush. Despite his strong passing ability, Carbonneau also has a pretty good release on his shot. That is evident with his 46-goal campaign in the QMJHL.
When he is drafted and has a few more years of experience at a high level under his belt, we will get to see just how good he can be. Right now, at times in his game he looks raw. He can lack experience, which is completely normal. When an NHL team has time to help him grow as a person and player, along with him just naturally maturing, he will be a great playmaking winger in the NHL.
What the Scouts Are Saying:
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 adding power and precision to his shot. — Elite Prospects, 2025
"Carbonneau never gives up on a play. He works to extend zone time and has a very quick stick. He strips opponents of the puck and makes plays before defenders have an opportunity to react." — Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
"Carbonneau’s a talented offensive-zone player with naturally quick hands, a quick release that can beat goalies from midrange and change angles on defensemen and strong athletic tools as a solid kid and sturdy skater with a pro frame. He can challenge defenders and threaten offensively on or off the puck." — Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
"If you were to rank this draft just on raw skill and pure fun factor Carbonneau would easily be a top 10 pick at the very least. At least once a game, Carbonneau will have a really eye-popping, high-end moment, but then he’ll disappear for long stretches at a time." — Smaht Scouting
"Carbonneau has NHL-ready size (6-1, 191) and combines that big frame and his strong skating to beat defenders on the rush and win puck battles to create scoring chances. He can be an impressive presence below the dots in the offensive zone and has been one of the best players in the QMJHL this season." — Adam Kimelman, NHL
The last time the Blue Jackets took a French Canadian in the first round of an NHL Draft, it was Pierre-Luc Dubois, who unfortunately didn’t work out. Personally, I don’t think that will be a reason for them not to draft him. However, it doesn’t feel like he is going to be the player that they draft. He has Montreal Canadiens written all over him. That isn’t to say that they won’t draft him though. The Blue Jackets’ scouting staff could really like him and push for them to call his name on draft night. There definitely is a need of a high-end winger prospect within the Blue Jackets organization. You can never have enough top-end talent in your system.
Let us know what you think below.
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