Regarding the 2025 NHL draft, we've talked about most of the early crop. Some great talents are here, but I haven't spoken about Justin Carbonneau. For several reasons, Carbonneau is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. He's a combination of the Rangers admirable assets when looking for stature, and he's got the production from the junior leagues that will excite fans. He is the perfect combination of the two for the New York Rangers.
At 6'1 ", 192 lbs, Carbonneau is still one of the shorter players early in this class, but he's more filled out for his frame. Players coming out of junior will always desire to add more muscle. However, Carbonneau looks like the kind of guy that the Rangers could have in the pipeline. They could let him develop as Gabe Perreault did and then enjoy the rewards when it comes time to graduate him into the professional setup.
With the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Levis, Quebec native scored 46 goals and 43 assists for 89 points in 62 games. In four games in the playoffs, he has three goals. This person can show up in big moments, and the pressure does not get to him despite being the premier scorer for his team. That composure is always an asset worth examining when it arises.
This may not matter ultimately, as the Rangers traded their first-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the J.T. Miller trade, and it is unlikely that the Rangers will end up with a selection in the top 10 to protect it. However, the Rangers will examine the chances of trading back into day one of the draft, and what happens will be worth following. This is a dangerous player, one that management will love.