Lou Korac Carbonneau Column: Boston College or Back To Juniors

[TBone]

I guess the Blues wanted to get to the root of the cockiness reputation to see if he plays name on the front or the name on the back.

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Blues Draft Carbonneau With First Round Pick

Lou Korac
June 27, 2025

- clip -

Carbonneau had met with the Blues prior to the draft at the combine, feeling it would be a good spot for him to land but also open to wherever he went and whoever took him.

“I spoke with the Blues this year,” he said. “I spoke with the mental coach a few hours this year to kind of get with my mindset and all that, and at the combine, I had a good meeting with them too. Some good talks and good people in St. Louis. It’s going to be fun to meet them the next few days.”

Carbonneau will be in St. Louis beginning Monday for a four-day developmental camp, then the two sides will decide on where he will play next season. His choices are Boston College or back in junior.

“We've always tried to listen to the player and tell him that we're in this for the marathon and what does he think is best for him -- how is he going to mature,” Armstrong said. “I've never in my experience as a manager asked a team to trade a player or told a player where to go because if it doesn't work out, he puts it on your plate. These guys, they're young men, 18-19 years old. They have to do what they think is right for them. We know that he wants to be an NHL hockey player, there are different avenues to do it, and we're going to support whatever he does. Like we did with ‘Snuggy,’ we wanted ‘Snuggy’ to turn pro -- he knew that, we knew that. He wanted to go back and as soon as he said he was going back, our attention turned to him having the best year he could have at Minnesota and I think it worked out. We gained his trust by not trying to strong-arm him and he rewarded us with a great season at Minnesota, turning pro and being ready. So what we try and do is work with them, but allow them to make their own decisions.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/blues- ... 00120.html

[bud white]

I guess the Blues wanted to get to the root of the cockiness reputation to see if he plays name on the front or the name on the back.

-----------------------------------------------

Blues Draft Carbonneau With First Round Pick

Lou Korac
June 27, 2025

- clip -

Carbonneau had met with the Blues prior to the draft at the combine, feeling it would be a good spot for him to land but also open to wherever he went and whoever took him.

“I spoke with the Blues this year,” he said. “I spoke with the mental coach a few hours this year to kind of get with my mindset and all that, and at the combine, I had a good meeting with them too. Some good talks and good people in St. Louis. It’s going to be fun to meet them the next few days.”

Carbonneau will be in St. Louis beginning Monday for a four-day developmental camp, then the two sides will decide on where he will play next season. His choices are Boston College or back in junior.

“We've always tried to listen to the player and tell him that we're in this for the marathon and what does he think is best for him -- how is he going to mature,” Armstrong said. “I've never in my experience as a manager asked a team to trade a player or told a player where to go because if it doesn't work out, he puts it on your plate. These guys, they're young men, 18-19 years old. They have to do what they think is right for them. We know that he wants to be an NHL hockey player, there are different avenues to do it, and we're going to support whatever he does. Like we did with ‘Snuggy,’ we wanted ‘Snuggy’ to turn pro -- he knew that, we knew that. He wanted to go back and as soon as he said he was going back, our attention turned to him having the best year he could have at Minnesota and I think it worked out. We gained his trust by not trying to strong-arm him and he rewarded us with a great season at Minnesota, turning pro and being ready. So what we try and do is work with them, but allow them to make their own decisions.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/blues- ... 00120.html

Snuggy had the skills, but he needed to beef up. From what I read, JC is already a physically mature kid, but needs work on his skating. College hawkey has a better practice to games ratio so my guess is that is what he'll end up doing.

My goodness - that BC team is going to be freakin' stacked! Hagens dropped in the draft order, so he'll be a very motivated player. (He certainly needs some bulk after an admittedly rough season - but I really liked what I heard from him in the Spittin' Chiklets interview.)

[bud white]

I guess the Blues wanted to get to the root of the cockiness reputation to see if he plays name on the front or the name on the back.

-----------------------------------------------

Blues Draft Carbonneau With First Round Pick

Lou Korac
June 27, 2025

- clip -

Carbonneau had met with the Blues prior to the draft at the combine, feeling it would be a good spot for him to land but also open to wherever he went and whoever took him.

“I spoke with the Blues this year,” he said. “I spoke with the mental coach a few hours this year to kind of get with my mindset and all that, and at the combine, I had a good meeting with them too. Some good talks and good people in St. Louis. It’s going to be fun to meet them the next few days.”

Carbonneau will be in St. Louis beginning Monday for a four-day developmental camp, then the two sides will decide on where he will play next season. His choices are Boston College or back in junior.

“We've always tried to listen to the player and tell him that we're in this for the marathon and what does he think is best for him -- how is he going to mature,” Armstrong said. “I've never in my experience as a manager asked a team to trade a player or told a player where to go because if it doesn't work out, he puts it on your plate. These guys, they're young men, 18-19 years old. They have to do what they think is right for them. We know that he wants to be an NHL hockey player, there are different avenues to do it, and we're going to support whatever he does. Like we did with ‘Snuggy,’ we wanted ‘Snuggy’ to turn pro -- he knew that, we knew that. He wanted to go back and as soon as he said he was going back, our attention turned to him having the best year he could have at Minnesota and I think it worked out. We gained his trust by not trying to strong-arm him and he rewarded us with a great season at Minnesota, turning pro and being ready. So what we try and do is work with them, but allow them to make their own decisions.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/blues- ... 00120.html

Snuggy had the skills, but he needed to beef up. From what I read, JC is already a physically mature kid, but needs work on his skating. College hawkey has a better practice to games ratio so my guess is that is what he'll end up doing.

My goodness - that BC team is going to be freakin' stacked! Hagens dropped in the draft order, so he'll be a very motivated player. (He certainly needs some bulk after an admittedly rough season - but I really liked what I heard from him in the Spittin' Chiklets interview.)

He's had some very strong seasons in the Q. It may be better for his development to take him out of that comfort zone and play in a new league.

[STL fan in MN]

As a late ‘06, he’s already played 3 seasons in the Q. He should go to BC instead of play his 4th season in the Q.

And I bet that’s the way he’s leaning. In his interview with Strick, what I got out of it was he was waiting to make a final decision after the draft as he wanted to make a joint decision with whatever NHL team drafted him, which is smart IMO. My guess is he and the Blues will end up choosing BC.

[dhsux]

As a late ‘06, he’s already played 3 seasons in the Q. He should go to BC instead of play his 4th season in the Q.

And I bet that’s the way he’s leaning. In his interview with Strick, what I got out of it was he was waiting to make a final decision after the draft as he wanted to make a joint decision with whatever NHL team drafted him, which is smart IMO. My guess is he and the Blues will end up choosing BC.

Just getting on the board this morning so haven't seen much about passing on Hensler.

This is a clear case of BPA selection with Carbonneau in your opinion?

[STL fan in MN]

As a late ‘06, he’s already played 3 seasons in the Q. He should go to BC instead of play his 4th season in the Q.

And I bet that’s the way he’s leaning. In his interview with Strick, what I got out of it was he was waiting to make a final decision after the draft as he wanted to make a joint decision with whatever NHL team drafted him, which is smart IMO. My guess is he and the Blues will end up choosing BC.

Just getting on the board this morning so haven't seen much about passing on Hensler.

This is a clear case of BPA selection with Carbonneau in your opinion?

I had Carbonneau ranked ahead of Hensler but not overly so - 17th and 19th. I probably would’ve gone with Carbonneau. He’s a RW and we’re super short on right shooting players regardless of position so he fills a need. RD was a bit more of a need but you always draft BPA, not for need, especially early in the draft.

[MikoTython]

As a late ‘06, he’s already played 3 seasons in the Q. He should go to BC instead of play his 4th season in the Q.

And I bet that’s the way he’s leaning. In his interview with Strick, what I got out of it was he was waiting to make a final decision after the draft as he wanted to make a joint decision with whatever NHL team drafted him, which is smart IMO. My guess is he and the Blues will end up choosing BC.

Just getting on the board this morning so haven't seen much about passing on Hensler.

This is a clear case of BPA selection with Carbonneau in your opinion?

Based upon DA's remarks, looks like the Blues had the draft tiered out, w/ Carbonneau on a higher tier than Hensler. He said Justin was the last guy in that grouping, would have considered trading down if he'd been taken.

[dhsux]

Thank you both!

[seattleblue]

As a late ‘06, he’s already played 3 seasons in the Q. He should go to BC instead of play his 4th season in the Q.

And I bet that’s the way he’s leaning. In his interview with Strick, what I got out of it was he was waiting to make a final decision after the draft as he wanted to make a joint decision with whatever NHL team drafted him, which is smart IMO. My guess is he and the Blues will end up choosing BC.

Just getting on the board this morning so haven't seen much about passing on Hensler.

This is a clear case of BPA selection with Carbonneau in your opinion?

Based upon DA's remarks, looks like the Blues had the draft tiered out, w/ Carbonneau on a higher tier than Hensler. He said Justin was the last guy in that grouping, would have considered trading down if he'd been taken.

I had Carbonneau 11th on my board. Never thought he would be available, but I got on Carbonneau watch early last night
Definitely above Hensler for me. Hensler I love his skating but I think his offensive game could have a cap on it.

[stlblues1979]

If he chooses Boston College, do you see a path to the NHL similar to Snuggy? With his skill level & size (physical maturity) already in place, is he one that could very well skip the AHL & come right to the Blues from college. From the reports I've seen his only concerning weakness is in decision making with the puck in that he tries to do too much at times. That seems very coachable.

I guess I'm asking is he more skilled & further along than Snuggy when he was an incoming freshman & if so, maybe to the Blues in two years instead of three?

[seattleblue]

He should go to BC and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the Blues earlier than expected. He doesn't have as much physical ramp up needed. I would default expect 2 years in college and be open to sooner

[stlblues1979]

He should go to BC and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the Blues earlier than expected. He doesn't have as much physical ramp up needed. I would default expect 2 years in college and be open to sooner

That would be awesome! Love the direction this team is going!!

[larueskee]

Thomas seemed to improve his skating much quicker playing in the NHL. The tape I have seen on Carbonneau has exhibited very strong stick handling skills. His skating is fine and the speed is at the level he is playing at. No need to go faster if you don't have to. He will have to at the NHL level.