With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.
After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection.
We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, and center Roger McQueen. Next up? Right wing Justin Carbonneau.
Penguins Drop Two Slots In NHL Draft, Will Pick 11th OverallIn past draft lotteries, the Pittsburgh Penguins have seen their fair share of luck.
Justin Carbonneau
DOB: Nov. 25, 2006
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 192 pounds
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
A large sentiment around this season's draft is that there is a drastic drop in skill level and impact outside of the consensus top-three selections.
But if there is one prospect that has top-end skill - and who figures to be around the Penguins' draft window - it's QMJHL forward Justin Carbonneau.
2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Post-Lottery Top 64One week after the NHL’s draft lottery decided which franchise received the first-overall pick, it’s time for a new round of draft rankings.
Carbonneau's combination of speed, skill, and vision is as good as everyone's in this draft. He can dangle, he can skate with the puck, he can spearhead the transition game, he can pass, and he can finish. His offensive ceiling is high, and his two-way game is seeing improvement across the board.
He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as he goes to the dirty areas of the ice and is willing to put the work into the hard areas of the ice.
Justin Carbonneau stickhandling reel.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) April 18, 2025
Full-body deception, follow-up motor, exploiting defenders' triangles, first-touch moves, taking on multiple opponents, freezing their feet then attacking across their heels...
Might be the best dangler in the #2025NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/GBqbBV9Clo
The Quebec native's draft stock has risen considerably over the past year. For the Armada this season, he registered 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games, and his production has continued to climb year-by-year. Carbonneau is a dynamic forward - one of the most dynamic of this draft class - and he has top-six potential at the NHL level.
If there are any downsides to his game, it's in the defensive details. He is still working to round out his two-way game, but it's something that he seems to be making strides in.
Like many other forwards in this mix for the Penguins, Carbonneau would be a solid choice at 11th overall. If he is available among some of the other selections we've already mentioned, he will certainly make the choice tough.
Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Roger McQueenWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!