Blues Prospect Report: Carbonneau, Fischer Headline a Busy Week Across the Blues’ System (March 23–29, 2026)

The Blues’ prospect pipeline delivered an active week with most players turning from regular season and into the postseason, while the Springfield Thunderbirds are keeping pace in the AHL’s Eastern Conference race. Here is a look at what the week produced across the system.

Carbonneau Keeps Rolling Into the Playoffs

Justin Carbonneau entered the QMJHL postseason the way he has operated for most of the year — loudly. The Blues’ first-round pick from the 2025 draft collected five points across two Blainville-Boisbriand wins this week, going 1-3-4 on Saturday and adding an assist Friday to help push his team to a pair of victories to open their series. He entered the playoffs with 51 goals and 80 points over 60 regular-season games, making him one of the most prolific scorers in the league this season and it looks like the pressure of the playoffs have not slowed him in the slightest. 

The 19-year-old’s combination of pace, finishing ability, and physical engagement gives Blainville-Boisbriand a true go-to scorer when the margins tighten. Carbonneau’s postseason will be worth watching closely as it is likely the final chapter of his junior career before he transitions to professional hockey.

Fischer Opens the Playoffs With a Goal

Defenseman Lukas Fischer had a solid week in the OHL, picking up three points in two games for the Soo Greyhounds as they opened their playoff run. His biggest moment came in Game 1 against the London Knights, when he scored what proved to be the go-ahead goal early in the first period. Fischer sent a shot through traffic that slipped inside the left post from the point, giving the Greyhounds a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.  Sault Ste. Marie won 4-1, with a power play goal in the second period and another in the third sealing the result.  The 2024 second-round pick logged three points over his two outings this week and enters the postseason playing some of the best hockey of his season.

Kos Thriving in the Finnish Postseason

Ondřej Kos turned in the most eye-catching individual performance of the week, posting two goals and three assists across two U20 SM-sarja playoff games for Ilves. His Saturday outing was particularly sharp scoring two goals (including the game-winner) and an assist in a 5-4 overtime win. 

Having dealt with concussion recovery this season, the Czech winger’s return and level of play has impressed in the moments that matter the most. At 20, getting that kind of production in a playoff environment against quality competition is a meaningful positive development for a player whose ceiling remains uncertain but one with promise.

Härenstam Impresses in Sweden

Love Härenstam had the best week of any goaltender in the Blues’ system, and it came in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second division, where the 2025 draft pick is playing at an incredible rate. 

After a spectacular regular season, he started the postseason a little rocky and was given a breather after surrendering 10 goals through two postseason appearances with Kalmar taking the early 2-1 series lead. However, after his club tied the series at two games a piece and his teammate Nicolas Westerholm lost 3-2 in overtime to go down three games to two, Sodertalje turned back to Härenstam. 

The 19-year-old stopped 24 of 26 to force a game seven, and then turned aside all 37 shots he faced in a 2-0 shutout to secure the series victory. Across the two appearances this week, he faced 63 shots and allowed just two goals, posting a save percentage of .968. 

Springfield: Winning and Could Be Destined for More

The Thunderbirds won both of their road games this week grabbing an all too important two point in the standings thanks to a 5-3 victory Friday over Leigh High Valley, and a 4-2 win on Saturday, giving Springfield a strong close to the week and a continued push for the postseason. 

Individual production was scattered throughout the lineup with Blues prospects chipping in on the action. Aleksanteri Kaskimäki scored in Friday’s win and earned two points on the week while firing eights shots on net. Kaskimaki and rookie Juraj Pekarcik were two of the standout skaters of the two-game road trip with Pekarcik’s adding a goal and an assist Friday. 

Springfield currently holds the sixth and final seed in the Atlantic division, tied with 62 points a piece with one game in hand over Leigh High Valley. Only two points separates the Thunderbirds and the fifth place Bridgeport Islanders and three points between Springfield and the Hershey Bears. The Thunderbirds are off until a Friday clash with the Bears, followed by a Saturday game against the Syracuse Crunch.  

Stenberg Continues to Prove Worth at NHL Level

It’s been eight gams since Otto Stenberg has been recalled from Springfield back and the past week offered a small but notable moment. In Tuesday’s 3-0 win, Stenberg scored his first goal of this NHL stint. The goal came along five penalty minutes and 11:14 of ice time. His two subsequent games were quiet by comparison, but the goal was a good reminder that even in limited situations, Stenberg can make things happen. 

Michigan State Elimited

Colin Ralph and the Michigan State Spartans have officially been eliminated in the NCAA Tournament, with Ralph logging significant minutes for a team that earned a high seed in the bracket. The early watch is on for a decision on the stay-at-home defenseman and his decision to either stay in the NCAA or sign his first pro contract. Ralph played top-pairing minutes for Michigan State and could be a valuable depth piece for the club moving forward.