We’re just under one month away from the NHL Entry Draft, where the Vancouver Canucks hold their first round pick for the first time since 2023.

For how long? That remains to be seen.

And yet, we continue to push forward as if they will maintain their position and select a young and hopeful prospect with the 15th pick.

With that, we give you our second potential target.

Previous targets:

• Brady Martin
• Carter Bear
• Braeden Cootes

Justin Carbonneau

Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL) | Age: 18 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Right | Birthplace: Lévis, Quebec, Canada

We’ve emphasized centres with our target list for obvious reasons.

Looking at the depth chart, the Vancouver Canucks are dangerously light up the middle, with minimal reinforcements on the way.

Regardless, sometimes you have to target pure skill, rather than need. And Justin Carbonneau could easily carry the highest offensive pedigree within this echelon of the first round.

With some of the best hands in the draft – perhaps the best – the Quebec native blends an intriguing mixture of high-end skill and power elements. His highlight package is one of the more thrilling among this entire draft, let alone the mid-stages of the first round.

When offensive chances arise, Carbonneau is typically at the centre of it all. He lives to produce points and can do so in various ways. Rushing up the ice, he shows tremendous speed and views the ice well with his head always up in transition.

The crafty right-shot winger finished his draft-eligible season tied for second in the QMJHL in goal totals (46), while sitting second leaguewide with 89 points, firing at an impressive 1.44 point-per-game clip.

Among the entire crop of 2025 eligibles, he finished third in goals and fifth in point totals.

He uses his powerful stride and delicate hands to blow by defenders or his strength to drop the shoulder and power through his check. He’s not afraid to get physical, giving him a considerable advantage when transitioning to the next level.

While some areas in his game need work, the offensive package is highly intriguing. Whether it’s a filthy highlight goal showing off his crafty hands, a rocket shot from both long and short ranges, or digging for pucks at the net front, he can do it all.

He’s a natural shooter who can release that weapon in various ways. From a distance, he can unleash a powerful one-timer. From mid-range, he delivers effective drag-and-release shots or pinpoint wrist shots. He’s deadly off the rush and can work the inside incredibly well thanks to his swift puckhandling.

It’s not just the goals, either. Carbonneau is a dual-threat contributor and can make showstopping assists with his deceptive nature, finding teammates with tricky passes that many could not execute. Simply put, the opportunities are endless when the whole package is working – speed, power, compete and offensive skill.