St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today that the Blues have signed 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau and 2023 seventh-round pick Nikita Susuev to three-year, two-way entry-level contracts.
Justin Carbonneau has officially inked his ELC with the St-Louis Blues.
Reported yesterday both sides were far along in the process, and that the Blues have legit belief he could gte a nine-game trial. also an article with more linked in this tweet. https://x.com/mndamico/status/1965865419862102355
Honestly, surprised it took this long for Carbonneau to sign. Once he committed to stick with the Blandville-Boyband Armada, I expected him to sign pretty soon thereafter.
The interesting one imo is Susuyev. Russia doesn’t have a transfer agreement so that makes me wonder if Susuyev will be coming over immediately. That said, I don’t see a ton of potential in him.
I like the player and like the pick but would be surprised if he gets a 9 game trial. I just don’t see his game as remotely close to being NHL ready yet. Heck, I doubt he makes Canada’s WJC team if I’m being honest.
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑10 Sep 2025 16:50 pm
I like the player and like the pick but would be surprised if he gets a 9 game trial. I just don’t see his game as remotely close to being NHL ready yet. Heck, I doubt he makes Canada’s WJC team if I’m being honest.
Yeah I believe camp will be enough but I'd love to be surprised.
It seems to me anyway the Blues are getting a bit stacked up. Now if certain "prospects" excel and make it easier for them that's great but I see no rush whatsoever to put Carb in the crosshairs.
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑10 Sep 2025 16:50 pm
I like the player and like the pick but would be surprised if he gets a 9 game trial. I just don’t see his game as remotely close to being NHL ready yet. Heck, I doubt he makes Canada’s WJC team if I’m being honest.
Yeah I believe camp will be enough but I'd love to be surprised.
It seems to me anyway the Blues are getting a bit stacked up. Now if certain "prospects" excel and make it easier for them that's great but I see no rush whatsoever to put Carb in the crosshairs.
We shall see.
Once you draft and sign guys then it's all on them. If Carbonneau is ready he will play, if not he goes back down.
zamadoo wrote: ↑10 Sep 2025 18:28 pm
"Hey Dvo, we're thinking about starting this 18 year old over you"
"Hey Aleksentari, even though I said your name before, you just haven't shown enough yet"
Now that's some good motivation
It's a competitive profession. If Carbonneau gets just a 1-9 game look that is no reflection on DD, who is primarily training to be a center in the NHL. If they go head-to-head for [say] 3RW then let the best (most ready) man win. If the loser of that competition folds tent then they weren't NHL material.
I think there could be a surprise kid to make the team just because we have a coach like Monty that may think somebody is ready that Doug and his team may not but trusts Monty enough to give it a go.
If so i think that likely is a Winger and that would make Carbonneau a strong candidate based on what they have had to say about him thus far he still needs to show it against men etc..
Monty was the one that told Doug we were going to make the playoffs last year fwiw.
It's likely a motivational tactic for him and probably Dvorsky as well even though he is a center. Nothing wrong with health competition as long as you don't lead the kids and fans along...
zamadoo wrote: ↑10 Sep 2025 18:28 pm
"Hey Dvo, we're thinking about starting this 18 year old over you"
"Hey Aleksentari, even though I said your name before, you just haven't shown enough yet"
Now that's some good motivation
It's a competitive profession. If Carbonneau gets just a 1-9 game look that is no reflection on DD, who is primarily training to be a center in the NHL. If they go head-to-head for [say] 3RW then let the best (most ready) man win. If the loser of that competition folds tent then they weren't NHL material.
Well sure, but he should have no business beating out the two players mentioned for a 3RW spot, much less the pros already on the roster making millions of dollars. If he legitimately does that, then heck yeah! But also, not a good look for the other prospects ahead of him. IMO, Dvo should be a productive full-time member of the team by next season. By 2027 he should be 2C.
zamadoo wrote: ↑10 Sep 2025 18:28 pm
"Hey Dvo, we're thinking about starting this 18 year old over you"
"Hey Aleksentari, even though I said your name before, you just haven't shown enough yet"
Now that's some good motivation
It's a competitive profession. If Carbonneau gets just a 1-9 game look that is no reflection on DD, who is primarily training to be a center in the NHL. If they go head-to-head for [say] 3RW then let the best (most ready) man win. If the loser of that competition folds tent then they weren't NHL material.
Well sure, but he should have no business beating out the two players mentioned for a 3RW spot, much less the pros already on the roster making millions of dollars. If he legitimately does that, then heck yeah! But also, not a good look for the other prospects ahead of him. IMO, Dvo should be a productive full-time member of the team by next season. By 2027 he should be 2C.
Declaratives like "no business" aren't really appropriate. We really do not KNOW what the Blues have in Carbonneau, we can only speculate. He might be the next Brett Hull or he might be a bust. Most likely he gets sent out, possibly after a taste of NHL hockey, but we just don't know. Carbonneau and DD are two different players seeking two different positions and roles, I don't see any rationale in comparing them unless they truly go head-to-head.
