Canadiens No. – Montreal moved up two spots in a draft-night trade with the Vegas Golden Knights to select Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov 26th overall. The 2025-26 season with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL) produced 10 goals, 14 assists and 24 points in 33 games, with a projecti
Friday didn’t start with patience for the Montreal Canadiens. They entered the day holding the 28th overall pick, but they didn’t want to wait two places to get the player they targeted.
So the Canadiens traded up two spots on draft night with the Vegas Golden Knights, positioning themselves to pick Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov at 26th overall.
For Montreal, the selection comes with a clear kind of hope: a power-forward type who can change games without needing to be the loudest player on the ice.
Pugachyov, the Canadiens’ first-rounder at No. 26, spent the 2025-26 season with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod in the MHL. In 33 games, he produced 10 goals, 14 assists and 24 points. The picture that emerges from those numbers is matched by the way he’s described: a well-rounded. physical forward who forechecks with purpose and plays with detail in all three zones.
There was also a taste of the professional level during the past season. Pugachyov scored twice in a 13-game KHL stint, giving him real exposure beyond the development league.
The plan, though, remains anchored in Russia. He’s slated to remain there for 2026-27, and the Canadiens will be watching whether that pace of development keeps holding. The projection connected to his game is a third-line forward role in the NHL.
Over the past three years, his development has come within the system of the KHL’s Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. The fit is more than name-and-logo—his style is described as disruptive and built for contact. He’s been characterized as big and physical. a forward who packs a punch offensively and isn’t afraid of board battles or intimidation.
Put together, the Canadiens’ move up the board and the player they grabbed tell one story: Montreal is betting that physical, multi-zone responsibility can translate into an NHL power forward, and that the skill he’s showing now will be ready soon enough to bring that disruption to their lineup.
Montreal Canadiens Vegas Golden Knights Gleb Pugachyov 26th overall pick NHL draft night trade Chaika Nizhny Novgorod MHL KHL Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod third-line forward projection
Why trade up just to draft some Russian kid? They could’ve grabbed anybody at 28 lol.
Sounds like they “didn’t want to wait two spots” which is kinda funny cause patience is literally what drafts are. Also “power-forward type” like ok but will he actually score when it matters?
I don’t get the part about him staying in Russia for 2026-27, like aren’t they worried he’ll never come over? And 10 goals 14 assists in the MHL… that’s decent but not like top line numbers? Idk.
Vegas always wins the trades though, so let’s see. Also the article says KHL stint 13 games and he scored twice, which to me sounds like he’s already a bust or maybe I’m reading it wrong. If he’s “disruptive” and “board battles” then cool but Canadiens fans have heard that forever and then nothing happens. I’m just hoping this isn’t another “watching for development” situation.