The Montreal Canadiens entered Friday with the 28th overall pick, but couldn’t quite wait that long to get their guy. By moving up two slots in a draft-night trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, the Canadiens were perfectly positioned to land Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov 26th overall.
Here’s what you need to know about the Canadiens’ picks.
26th Overall: Gleb Pugachyov
2025-26 Team: Chaika Nizhny Novgorod, MHL
Stat Line: 10G-14A-24PTS in 33 games
What you need to know about Pugachyov:
He’s big, he’s physical, and he packs a punch offensively, too.
Pugachyov spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in Russia’s top development league, but did get a taste of the pros. He scored twice in a 13-game KHL stint this past season.
He’s slated to remain in Russia for 2026-27. Pugachyov has all the makings of a complete NHL power forward, and if he continues to develop at his current trajectory, it may not be long before he brings that skillset to Montreal.
Interesting fact:
Pugachyov has spent the past three years developing within the system of the KHL’s Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod — a fitting name, considering the way he plays. Call him a torpedo, a missile, a wrecking ball… this guy is built to disrupt. Whether he’s throwing devastating hits or going into battles along the boards, he is unafraid to intimidate opponents with his size and physicality. NHLers, you’ve been warned.
SECOND ROUND
57th Overall: D Timofi Runtso
2025-26 Team: Victoria Royals, WHL
Stat Line: 11G-33A-44PTS in 68 games
The California native moved up to the WHL last season after playing in the NAHL. Runtso’s dad is a Hollywood stuntman and actor in television shows and movies.
THIRD ROUND
93rd Overall: D Cooper Cleaves
2025-26 Team: Dartmouth College, NCAA
Stat Line: 4G-6A-10PTS in 30 games
The Habs go for a 20-year-old who just completed his freshman season in the NCAA. The six-foot-four American comes from an athletic family with two siblings having played hockey in the NCAA.
FOURTH ROUND
117th Overall: D Brayden Klimpke
2025-26 Team: Saskatoon Blades, WHL
Stat Line: 4G-43A-47PTS in 68 games
The six-foot-one Calgary native was named his team's top defenceman and MVP last season.
SIXTH ROUND
109th Overall: LW Parker Trottier
2025-26 Team: U.S. National Team Development Program
Stat Line: 8G-6A-14PTS in 24 games
The grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier goes to the Habs. Parker, 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.
190th Overall: RW Wesley Royston
2025-26 Team: Owen Sound Attack, Erie Otters, OHL
Stat Line: 12G-17A-29PTS in 59 games
The six-foot-four winger was traded to Owen Sound in late October. His team bowed out in the first round of the playoffs.
SEVENTH ROUND
221st Overall: D Jean-Samuel Daigneault
2025-26 Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL
Stat Line: 0G-5A-5PTS in 47 games
The Quebec native recently signed to play for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs next season. The six-foot-four blue-liner is known for his physical play.
224th Overall: F Tyler Deakos
2025-26 Team: Drumheller Dragons, AJHL, Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL
Stat Line: 15G-17A-32 Pts in 29 games
The last pick in the draft, Deakos is slated to jump up to the Penticton Vees of the WHL next season.
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