First Round: The Canadiens Aren’t a Draft Pick, According to Scott Wheeler

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
First Round: The Canadiens Aren’t a Draft Pick, According to Scott Wheeler
Credit: YouTube

The first round of the draft is behind us.

It was a long night. For those watching it on TV, it was better than last year… but let's just say it's not the most exciting event of the year.

I could have done without the sofa interview with Gavin McKenna and Justin Bieber, and the GM of the Year award ceremony, too. It just wasn't the right time.

In the end, the Canadiens selected Gleb Pugachyov, a Russian prospect who shoots like a train. Once again, the Habs didn't draft an American in the first round and set their sights on a big player.

No matter what level of competition he faced in 2025–2026 (including the KHL), the Canadiens' new prospect wasn't afraid to deliver some serious hits.

The young player, who is reportedly not far from the NHL level, fills a need for a physical presence on the Canadiens' roster. When he makes it to the NHL, he'll make an impact in his own way.

At his best, he's a player who can shift the momentum of a game, much like Tom Wilson. That's what makes him appealing to a team like the Habs, which has at times been physically overpowered in big games in recent years.

But could the Canadiens have done better?

According to Scott Wheeler, who covers prospects for The Athletic, the Canadiens aren't among the first-round winners in the draft. They fall into the “overtime losers” category—those who won't make the cut as winners, but only by a narrow margin.

Wheeler doesn't see enough offensive potential to place Pugachyov in the top six long-term. And, in his view, if the Russian ends up as a third-line player, the Canadiens are leaving some value on the table with the 26th overall pick.

We know the Habs have a player with a high floor, but not necessarily the highest ceiling. He fits their immediate needs, but he doesn't necessarily have the raw talent of other first-round picks. He's been climbing the rankings recently.

Has the Habs found a gem thanks to their Russian connections? Or did the club instead play it safe—opting for a sure thing rather than going for a home run—given their needs? That's the question.

It's worth noting, however, that Corey Pronman gives the Canadiens an A. He believes the Canadiens landed the best power forward in the draft in his view, since Pugachyov is a top-6 player in his book.


Overtime

That said, ultimately, it's how he develops—along with the development of the players drafted after him—that will determine whether the young man helped the Habs win or lose last night.

If he fits into the puzzle the right way, that'll be ideal. But only time will tell.

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