Canadiens Trade Up to Draft Gleb Pugachyov 26th Overall

By Liam Tremblay — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

The Montreal Canadiens moved up two spots in the NHL Draft to select Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov 26th overall. The trade involved sending the 28th pick and a third-round pick from next year’s draft to the Vegas Golden Knights. This selection marks the third consecutive year the Canadiens have used their first draft pick on a Russian player.

Prior to the draft, Canadiens president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton had indicated a likelihood of picking 28th. However, the team executed the trade to secure Pugachyov, who did not attend the draft in Buffalo. He was ranked ninth among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Pugachyov’s profile and potential

Gleb Pugachyov is described as a physically mature player with strong hockey sense and a robust playing style. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes noted that Pugachyov’s game is similar to that of Washington Capitals power forward Tom Wilson. According to Canadiens scouts, Pugachyov was considered the best available player at their selection spot.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 198 pounds, Pugachyov played in various Russian leagues this past season. He recorded 10 goals and 14 assists in 33 games with Nizhny Novgorod Chaika in the Russian junior league. Additionally, he played 13 games in the KHL with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo, posting 2-1-3 totals. He also played 15 games in the VHL, and had points in playoff games in the MHL.

The Canadiens have recently drafted Russian forwards, including Ivan Demidov and Alexander Zharovsky. Demidov had 19 goals and 43 assists in his first full NHL season, along with three goals and six assists in 19 playoff games. Zharovsky is also showing promise as a second-round pick.

Speculation suggested that the Canadiens were looking to add a power forward to their organization, and Pugachyov fits this description with his size, physicality, and power. This move aligns with the team’s need for more size and physicality, particularly after facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Hurricanes were noted as the more physical team.

Draft day trades and future outlook

The 2026 NHL Draft saw significant trade activity, with 17 of the 32 first-round picks being traded. This included the 28th pick that the Canadiens traded to move up. Jeff Gorton commented on the increasing frequency of first-round picks being moved across the league, noting a shift in strategy where teams are more willing to trade these valuable assets.

Other notable trades included the Florida Panthers, who acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators by trading the No. 9 and No. 25 picks. The St. Louis Blues traded picks No. 15 and No. 29 to the Anaheim Ducks for 23-year-old centre Mason McTavish. The Buffalo Sabres traded defenceman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks for the No. 4 overall pick, which they used to select defenceman Daxon Rudolph.

The Canadiens are still seeking a second-line centre or a top-six forward, as well as a right-shot defenceman to bolster their roster for the upcoming season. They also aim to increase their team’s size and physicality, a goal partially addressed by drafting Pugachyov. Kent Hughes expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make further improvements before next season, stating that they will explore trade opportunities when they make sense for the team.

The NHL free-agent market opens on July 1, providing another avenue for the Canadiens to acquire immediate help. Jeff Gorton acknowledged that while the league has seen fewer top free agents available due to teams signing players sooner, there are still identified players who could be a good fit for the Canadiens. Rounds 2-7 of the NHL Draft are scheduled for Saturday.

Source: montrealgazette.com