The only constant this preseason for the Blues has been Justin Carbonneau.
The 2025 first-round pick is the only Blue to play in every exhibition game so far. Carbonneau also played two games during the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase before camp.
In games at Dallas and Columbus, Carbonneau had a goal and a primary assist, factoring in on both of the Blues’ goals this preseason.
“It’s going well,” Carbonneau said Saturday morning. “I’m not satisfied by everything I have accomplished, but it’s getting there. A couple things I still have to show. I’m getting there. So good start, but I still have a lot to show.”
Carbonneau entered training camp as a longshot to make the Blues roster, but has done his best to force his way into the conversation. He was impactful during the prospect tournament and has been a source of offense during the start of preseason. If he makes the team, it would likely be as a third-line winger.
In the first two games, Carbonneau played with veterans, and slotted in on the top line and the top power play.
The prospects get a chance to drive their own line, and “not only that, but it’s also realistic minutes that if they played in the NHL, they’re not going to be seeing the same minutes that the (Robert) Thomas and (Brayden) Schenn lines are going to be seeing,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
Earlier this week, Carbonneau was one of a handful of young players that Montgomery said had caught his attention during the first week-plus of training camp. The full list included Carbonneau, Dalibor Dvorsky, Juraj Pekarcik, Otto Stenberg, Jakub Stancl up front, and Adam Jiricek and Hunter Skinner on the back end.
If the Blues wanted to, they would be able to keep Carbonneau in the NHL, and he could play up to nine games without using a year of his entry-level contract. Once they returned him to Blainville-Boisbriand in the QMJHL, he would not be able to rejoin the Blues until his junior season ended. Blainville-Boisbriand is expected to be one of the top junior teams in Canada this season.
Carbonneau said he’s tried “not putting too much pressure on an 18 year old.”
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to compete, to have success, but sometimes, it’s just to remind yourself to learn,” Carbonneau said. “I talked about getting around guys, veterans and all that. It sounds easy, but it’s not. It’s just keep learning even remind myself that I’m 18 and I have time to learn.”
Carbonneau has the pedigree to one day be a key contributor for the Blues, even if that doesn’t happen this fall. He was second in the QMJHL in both goals and points last season, and has the profile of a power forward that plays deep in the slot.
“I’m not someone who’s satisfied in anything I do,” Carbonneau said. “Just keep me on my toes. I think I can shoot the puck more, get to the net more, all that. Sometimes, I feel like I pass up some opportunities to use my shot and my offensive (skills) around the net.”
Carbonneau said he’s been trying to learn during his time in NHL camp, and he’s been receptive to coaching.
“I’m here for that,” Carbonneau said. “I’m here to learn new things and get myself ready to (play) pro. I’m not here to not listen and say ‘I’m good enough.’ I know I’m not perfect and I’m just 18. I’m not good enough to be a superstar in the NHL, so that means I have to learn a lot of things. Learn from the vets, learn from the coach’s advice. Now, I’m getting there.”
Carbonneau is also looking for ways to adjust his game to the next level.
“The pace is different than the Q, that’s for sure,” Carbonneau said. “It’s going faster, and guys are bigger. It’s changing the way you have to go to the net, get around guys, forecheck. Now a quick poke check is not enough to get the puck out of a 6-8 guy. It’s different things that you have to adjust, but I’m ready to show that I can adjust to that level.”
Alexandrov, McGing on waivers
Forwards Nikita Alexandrov and Hugh McGing were placed on waivers Saturday, potentially signaling the next round of cuts from Blues camp on Sunday. If Alexandrov and McGing clear waivers Sunday, they are expected to be sent to AHL affiliate Springfield.
The Blues entered Saturday with 53 players remaining in training camp, and the team must whittle the roster to 23 by Oct. 6 at 4 p.m.
There are four other players expected to be waived by the Blues down to the AHL (Matt Luff, Hunter Skinner, Corey Schueneman and Colten Ellis), but none of them have been waived yet.
Second scrimmage
The players who did not play Saturday vs. Chicago scrimmaged on Saturday morning at Centene Community Ice Center. During the 5-on-5 and 4-on-4 portion of the scrimmage, Tyler Tucker scored two goals and Dylan Peterson scored one of his own.
Dylan Holloway tied the scrimmage late with an extra-attacker goal.
The two sides played 10 minutes of 3 on 3, when Jordan Kyrou, Leo Loof and Jakub Stancl all scored.
Defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Milan Lucic (groin) did not practice with the team on Saturday.
The good news for the Blues is that many of the same pieces on the power play are back.
Event likely to take place when the team he now broadcasts, the LA Kings, are in town on Oct. 21.
With two weeks to go until the start of the regular season, Joseph finds himself squarely embroiled in the main battle going on at Blues training camp, as he tries to force his way into a spot in the St. Louis bottom six.
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Matthew DeFranks | Post-Dispatch
Hockey reporter
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