Canadiens draft – Montreal enters the draft with the 28th overall pick, then moves up two spots in a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights to take Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov at 26th. The rest of the Canadiens’ class includes a WHL defender, NCAA depth, multiple other junior opt
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t have to wait until 28th overall to land their kind of difference-maker. On Friday, with the 28th pick on the clock, the team moved up two slots in a draft-night trade with the Vegas Golden Knights—opening the door to take Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov at 26th overall.
From there. Montreal’s board filled out with a mix of physical upside. big frames. and players already turning development into production. Each selection comes with its own path—some staying in North America. others building in the leagues in Russia and beyond—but the through-line is clear: the Canadiens stocked their organization with players who can impact games with size and intensity.
26th Overall: Gleb Pugachyov
The 26th pick lands in Russia for now. Pugachyov is listed for Chaika Nizhny Novgorod in the MHL for 2025-26, after putting up a 10G-14A-24PTS line in 33 games. He’s a big, physical winger who also produces offensively.
Most of his 2025-26 season came in Russia’s top development league, though he did get a taste of the KHL last season. In a 13-game KHL stint, he scored twice. For 2026-27, he’s slated to remain in Russia.
Over the past three years, Pugachyov has developed within the system of the KHL’s Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. His style is built for disruption—using size and physicality to intimidate opponents, whether through devastating hits or board battles. The Canadiens expect that blend to translate as he continues to develop. with Pugachyov carrying the “power forward” profile Montreal will look for as he’s groomed to eventually bring that skillset to the NHL.
57th Overall: D Timofi Runtso
At 57th overall, Montreal added a defender who has already shown steady offensive contributions. Timofi Runtso is headed to the Victoria Royals in the WHL for 2025-26, where he produced 11G-33A-44PTS in 68 games.
Runtso is a California native who moved up to the WHL last season after playing in the NAHL. His family background is colorful too: his dad is a Hollywood stuntman and actor in television shows and movies.
93rd Overall: D Cooper Cleaves
With the 93rd pick, the Canadiens went after a 20-year-old fresh off his first NCAA season. Cooper Cleaves is listed for Dartmouth College in 2025-26, posting 4G-6A-10PTS in 30 games.
The six-foot-four American comes from an athletic family, with two siblings having played hockey in the NCAA.
117th Overall: D Brayden Klimpke
Next came Brayden Klimpke, a six-foot-one defender from the WHL. For 2025-26, he’s with the Saskatoon Blades, where he logged 4G-43A-47PTS in 68 games.
Klimpke’s leadership was recognized last season as well—he was named his team’s top defenceman and MVP.
109th Overall: LW Parker Trottier
Montreal then selected Parker Trottier at 109th overall. Trottier is set to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2025-26, after scoring 8G-6A-14PTS in 24 games.
Trottier, 18, is a left winger and has spent the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He has committed to play for the University of Notre Dame in the NCAA starting in 2027-28.
He’s also carrying NHL history in the family. Trottier is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier.
190th Overall: RW Wesley Royston
At 190th overall, the Canadiens picked Wesley Royston, a six-foot-four winger currently tied to the Owen Sound Attack and Erie Otters in 2025-26. His stat line is 12G-17A-29PTS in 59 games.
Royston was traded to Owen Sound in late October, and his team bowed out in the first round of the playoffs.
221st Overall: D Jean-Samuel Daigneault
The Canadiens continued to build their defensive pipeline with Jean-Samuel Daigneault at 221st overall. He’s listed for Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL in 2025-26, where he recorded 0G-5A-5PTS in 47 games.
Daigneault is a Quebec native, standing six-foot-four. He recently signed to play for the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs next season, and he’s known for physical play.
224th Overall: F Tyler Deakos
Montreal closed its draft haul with the last pick on the board: Tyler Deakos at 224th overall. In 2025-26, Deakos is associated with Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) and Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL), producing 15G-17A-32 Pts in 29 games.
The six-foot-four winger is slated to jump up to the Penticton Vees of the WHL next season after being taken at the very end of the draft.
Taken together. Montreal’s class runs from immediate junior roles to longer runway development. with the trade-up for Gleb Pugachyov giving the Canadiens a clear statement: they weren’t content to wait. They moved up. took a Russian winger they believe can grow into a power-forward profile. and then filled out the rest of the board with defenders and forwards built for physical presence and production—players who can eventually give the Canadiens more bite across the lineup.
Montreal Canadiens draft picks Gleb Pugachyov Vegas Golden Knights Timofi Runtso Cooper Cleaves Brayden Klimpke Parker Trottier Wesley Royston Jean-Samuel Daigneault Tyler Deakos