Scout's Notebook: The QMJHL's top forward prospects in a resurgent year

It has been a slim few years for the QMJHL at the NHL Draft. Last summer, only 15 players were total were selected – and only one inside the first two rounds. The year before, only 12 players were selected from the Q, the lowest total ever. 

But that's about to change.

This year, the QMJHL has the its strongest draft eligible group since 2021 when four players went inside the first round. This year's group could equal that with just forwards. 

It's not just the quantity or the quality of prospects, but also their unique skills. Caleb Desnoyers is the early runner for top prospect from the QMJHL with his highly detailed, cerebral style that looks like an perfect match for a top-six centre role. But Justin Carbonneau isn't too far behind, with his ultra-dynamic, flashy style of play. 

So, let's take an early look at those two potential top-15 picks, as well four other forwards leading the QMJHL's draft eligible resurgence. 

The two top-15 candidates

In many ways, Desnoyers is basically the textbook hockey player. He's a skillful playmaker, dangerous scorer, shutdown centre, and one of the draft's most physical players yet simultaneously one of its most disciplined. There isn't a zone or situation that he doesn't impact; it's rare to see a shift where he wasn't impactful at some point.

In last week's five-point game highlighted in Rinkside Roundup, Desnoyers showcased the full skill set nearly every shift. He set the tone early with a thunderous hit along the wall, went coast-to-coast for a goal, and set up a plethora of chances – all while stifling the opposition. The following night against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, he grabbed two points assists showcasing his ability to deceive opponents with look offs as he slips pucks through sticks. 

Though Carbonneau doesn't have Desnoyers' details or consistency, he's comparable, if not superior, in terms of pure puck skills. Flashy 1-on-1 moves draw praise – and ire from some – but his success really comes when he uses his handling skill to create shooting and passing lanes. He's racked up some of the most impressive dishes in the CHL season as he spots teammates through lanes and deftly navigates traffic to get pucks to them, as shown below:

That video also highlights another exciting element of Carbonneau's game: Skill inside space. He generates a lot of offence by controlling his speed to stay in openings or reloading high in the offensive zone and building speed towards the slot. Once the puck comes, he fakes, holds, and then passes across the slot for an even better look. He also uses those skills to get open for scoring chances. Whether he's shooting one-timers or walk-in wristers, he gets a ton of heat on his shots, even from awkward positions.

Just like Desnoyers, Carbonneau also has a power forward-like approach to the game, just less consistently. He can drive through opponents, win battles by overpowering before them even touching the puck, and flatten them. Further developing that side of his game could launch him up draft boards. Similarly, redirecting his skills from a more 1-on-1 focus to a playmaking focus will be a necessary development to translate to the NHL.  

No matter what happens, these two prospects will must-watch every game the rest of the way. 

Potential first round contenders 

Bill Zonnon, C/RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

There are several high energy players in this article, but none match the unique all-out effort of Bill Zonnon. No matter the score or situation, he never deviates from his physical, highly detailed style of game. He skates every route at full speed and hunts down pucks with a special urgency. But he's also a lot more than a high-energy player: He's an intelligent, skilled forward, too. 

Zonnon is a playmaker, regularly finding teammates with quick passes through a defender, across the slot, and in full flight. In a single shift, he racks up several touches. With feet that never stop moving, he consistently gets pucks off the wall and creates advantages for himself and teammates. Though he's more of a quick-possession player, he occasionally gets opponents moving in the wrong direction with look offs and hip pocket deception. He's also a gritty down-low battler and skillful net-front presence. 

Making this all the more impressive is Zonnon's switch to centre this season. He's currently Rouyn-Noranda's No. 1 centre after spending his first two QMJHL seasons on the wing. With flailing feet and a lack of depth, he doesn't have the mechanical refinement of most first-rounders, but he might not need it given his rare combination of smarts, work rate, and size.

Émile Guité, LW, Chicoutimi Saguenéens

After the second weekend of the season, Émile Guité looked poised for a campaign that easily eclipsed his QMJHL Rookie of the Year-winning 2023-24 season. Since that weekend, he posted just two points in seven games, but it hasn't been for a lack of effort.

Guité's found another level of energy and checking skills this season, launching himself at opponents on the forecheck and backcheck. When many coast, he hustles back into the play and makes the extra effort. Though that hasn't been resulting in points lately, it has resulted in chances. Guité is still getting open for one-timers and cutting inside off the rush for wristers – shooting remains his special offensive element. He's also showcasing more of a playmaking side as he's dropping pucks back for better looks, finding teammates across the slot, and slipping pucks through sticks to escape the cycle. 

Though he might be on the outside-looking-in of first rounds at this moment, it's very early into the season. He's doing a lot right and should get rewarded soon.

Nathan Quinn, C, Québec Remparts

A favourite of our QMJHL and Crossover Scout Hadi Kalakeche, Nathan Quinn has continued to earn rave reviews as the rest of our staff has watch him. It's not hard to see why: He already plays like a professional. 

It's without the puck where Quinn shines brightest. He skates through the hands of opponents at every opportunity, allowing him to win battles, free his stick in front of the net, or simply slow down back pressure. By skating his routes at full speed, he creates space behind him as he engages the defence, too. Inside the defensive zone, mistakes are rare with his combination of positional soundness and pace. He picks up threats quickly, eliminates them, and steps into opponents along the wall to emphatically free possession. Then, he attacks in transition with a combination of give-and-gos and high-speed drives to the middle. 

Though the Quinn might not be a dynamic offensive player, he has the motor, defensive acumen, physical skills, and playmaking flashes that could allow him to hold down an NHL role for a long time. It will be require bigger offensive breakout for Quinn to crack the first round, but he should be mainstay in our top-64 this season. 

Zachary Morin, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs

Once arguably the top 2007-born prospect from Québec, Zachary Morin's stock steadily dropped throughout his time in the USHL. After four quiet games to start the season, he headed back across the border to join the Saint John Sea Dogs. In five games since, he's amassed two goals and six assists – and looks much closer to the high-end prospect that he was a few years ago. 

It sounds so simple, but the biggest difference in the QMJHL seems to be effort. Morin has turned into a fierce forechecker, sprinting full speed at puck carriers, hammering them into the wall, and surprising them with his reach. Then, he immediate looks for a teammate in the slot, often finding teammates with high-skill passes through multiple opponents. Off the rush, he claims the middle of the rink early, delays instead of forcing low-percentage shots, and starts cross-ice passing plays. In his best shifts, he looks like one of the best playmakers in the league. 

Though Morin is developing his awareness of space, pace, and precision, he's back on track to become a top-64 prospect.