Gleb Pugachyov has yet to play for Martin St-Louis, but Montreal's newest first-rounder is already drawing a heavyweight NHL comparison.
The Canadiens moved up at the 2026 NHL Draft to secure Pugachyov, sending the 28th overall pick and a 2027 third-rounder to Vegas for No. 26.
That decision looks even more interesting after hockey insider Brian Wilde compared Pugachyov's playing style to Washington Capitals power forward Tom Wilson.
Wilde pointed to the combination of size, hockey sense and edge in Pugachyov's game. The Montreal prospect is listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds.
The comparison isn't based only on physical play. Pugachyov can protect the puck, create room with his frame and process the game well enough to make plays under pressure.
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Wilde also mentioned Canadiens forward Josh Anderson as another possible stylistic comparison, placing Pugachyov's potential profile somewhere between two established NHL power forwards.
Montreal paid extra to secure Gleb Pugachyov
That's where Kent Hughes' draft-night decision becomes the real story. Montreal didn't simply wait for Pugachyov to fall into its lap late in the first round.
The Canadiens surrendered another draft asset just to move up 2 spots, a strong indication that management wasn't comfortable risking another team taking him first.
Pugachyov spent the 2025-26 season playing across the MHL, VHL and KHL in Russia, giving Montreal's scouts several different levels of competition to evaluate.
For St-Louis, that type of prospect could eventually bring another dimension to the Canadiens' forward group. Montreal has skill in its young core, but Pugachyov's frame and puck-protection game create a different matchup.
The Wilson comparison also comes with a massive development standard. Washington's winger has built his reputation on blending size with legitimate top-six ability rather than relying on physicality alone.
Montreal won't need Pugachyov to become an exact copy. If his offensive game develops enough to complement his strength and edge, the Canadiens could have a difficult forward for opposing blue lines to contain.
And after paying an extra pick to make sure they landed him, Hughes and the Canadiens clearly saw enough upside to act before somebody else did.
Will Gleb Pugachyov develop into Montreal's version of Tom Wilson?
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