Canadiens Trade Up to Select Promising Winger Gleb Pugachyov

The atmosphere surrounding the NHL draft in Montreal this year was notably different, as the Canadiens entered the event with expectations of selecting at the 28th spot. Unlike last year’s draft, there were no blockbuster trades involving the Habs leading up to the event. While other teams made significant moves, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna first overall, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes opted for a quieter approach, only engaging in minor AHL transactions.

The draft itself was a drawn-out affair, highlighted by a lengthy 16-minute wait for the first overall pick, announced by none other than Justin Bieber. The night saw the New York Rangers acquire Pavel Dorofeyev with a seven-year contract, and the St. Louis Blues making headlines by trading two first-round picks for Mason McTavish.

In addition to the player selections, the NHL took the opportunity to honor Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin with the Jim Gregory Award for GM of the year, a choice that raised eyebrows considering his hefty contract for Kirill Kaprisov. In the voting, Hughes placed fifth, garnering 20 points from four second-place votes and eight third-place votes.

In a strategic move, the Canadiens traded up from their original 28th position, sending that pick along with a third-round selection in 2027 to the Vegas Golden Knights. This maneuver allowed them to pick 26th overall, where they selected Gleb Pugachyov, a right winger from Russia. This marks the third consecutive draft in which Montreal has focused on Russian talent with their first pick. Interestingly, Hughes noted that it was Martin Lapointe, a former rugged player, who was particularly enthusiastic about the selection, rather than their scout Nick Bobrov.

Pugachyov stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 198 pounds, having played across three levels of Russian hockey last season, including the MHL, VHL, and KHL. He recorded 24 points in 33 MHL games, five points in 15 VHL games, and three points in 13 KHL appearances. Hughes characterized Pugachyov as a robust player with a strong hockey IQ, drawing a comparison to Tom Wilson, who notably challenged the Canadiens during the 2024-25 playoffs.

Given the Canadiens’ struggles in recent playoff seasons, their decision to prioritize size and physicality over pure skill is understandable. Hughes revealed that the team had aimed to move up multiple times during the draft, as they had Pugachyov ranked much higher on their list. “We only managed to go up two spots, but at least we landed the player we were after,” he said.

While Hughes praised Pugachyov’s mature style of play, he did not provide a timeline for the player’s arrival in North America, stating he needs to consult with Pugachyov’s agent before discussing contractual matters. The draft will continue Saturday morning at 11:00 AM, with the Canadiens holding seven picks across the remaining rounds.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.