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'Justin Carbonneau would definitely be my choice

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 16, 2025 10:58 PM ET

As the 2025 amateur draft approaches, the Canadiens de Montréal are spoilt for choice as to what to do with their two first-round picks (16th and 17th).

One of the options would be to package up the draft and get their hands on a quality prospect.

Caleb Desnoyers would obviously be a great choice at around 5th overall.

Another option for Kent Hughes is to trade the 16th and 17th picks for a top-6 forward, ideally a center. With the addition of one or two prospects, the return could be quite interesting.

And the other (simplest) option is to opt for the status quo and draft two players in the middle of the first round.

When I say a simple option, it’s relative, because it’s easy to pick the wrong player in those waters.

On this subject, Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports, who was on BPM Sports this morning, has a very specific player in mind: Québécois Justin Carbonneau.

Justin Carbonneau with the Habs is more than possible! pic.twitter.com/s7eDUwrRV7

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) May 16, 2025

“Justin Carbonneau would definitely be my choice” – Anthony Martineau

That has the merit of being clear.

And I share Martineau’s opinion, because Carbonneau ticks some of the boxes the Habs are looking for.

He can score goals (lots of them), having finished as the QMJHL’s second-leading scorer this season, four goals behind the 50 netted by 20-year-old Sam Oliver.

What’s more, Carbonneau plays with passion, and above all, grit, something the Habs are actively seeking.

And as Martineau said, the fact that he’s Québécois is simply a bonus, not necessarily an asset. You can’t give a prospect extra points just because he’s of a certain nationality.

In fact, the Habs selected Kaiden Guhle 16th overall in the 2020 draft, which was a very beneficial selection.

But bad choices can happen…

Let’s not forget the selection of Nathan Beaulieu at 17th in 2011, who never really established himself (and stayed) in the NHL as a regular defenseman.

Let’s see what the Habs choose to do with their picks this summer.

Overtime

– Hoziel doesn’t seem to be Tavares’ biggest fan.

John Tavares in Montreal is out of the question for Eric Hoziel! pic.twitter.com/63xwwq5hfB

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) May 16, 2025

– Without a doubt.

Is tonight the biggest game of Mitch Marner’s NHL career? pic.twitter.com/0H2JzTSiRx

– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 16, 2025

– Incredible.

Before Brock Purdy was given a $265 million extension today, the largest extension a Mr. Irrelevant had ever received was a five-year, $14M deal (Ryan Succop, 2011)

– Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 16, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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