Gleb Pugachyov has another hurdle ahead, and Martin St-Louis may have to wait longer before Montreal's prospect pushes toward his NHL roster.
The 18-year-old forward won't be handed a permanent KHL job with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod this season. His place will depend on performance.
A Torpedo executive told journalist Nicolas Cloutier that Pugachyov could move between different levels of the organization rather than staying with the top club all year.
That means time in the MHL, VHL and KHL could all be part of his development path. For Montreal, it creates a much less predictable season for one of its intriguing young forwards.
"Worst-case scenario for Gleb Pugachyov: the poor guy is sidelined in Russia"
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Pugachyov has already spent time in the MHL, making the message from Torpedo clear. He'll have to earn every promotion rather than receiving a roster spot based on pedigree.
Montreal selected Pugachyov 26th overall in 2025. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, his size gives him a physical foundation that stands out among Canadiens prospects.
Montreal may need patience with Gleb Pugachyov
The challenge now is turning that frame into consistent impact against stronger competition. Controlled entries, puck protection and offensive output will matter as Torpedo evaluates where he belongs.
The organization appears comfortable moving him around depending on his play and roster needs. That could mean short KHL opportunities followed by assignments to lower levels if his minutes disappear.
For the Canadiens, that isn't automatically a negative development. Regular ice time can carry more value for an 18-year-old than sitting deep on a KHL bench with limited touches.
But it does change expectations. Fans hoping Pugachyov would immediately establish himself against men may have to track his progress across several leagues instead.
Kent Hughes and Montreal's development staff will be watching how he handles those changes. The bigger question is whether Pugachyov can force Torpedo to keep him in a larger role.
A few strong KHL appearances could quickly change the conversation. Until then, his path remains competitive, fluid and far from guaranteed.
Pugachyov's NHL upside hasn't disappeared. His next step is simpler: make it difficult for Torpedo to send him anywhere else.
Will Gleb Pugachyov earn a permanent KHL role this season?
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