Meet the Canadiens’ 2026 NHL Draft Class

The Montreal Canadiens entered the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with the objective to continue building organizational depth while adding size, competitiveness and long-term upside throughout the prospect pool. General manager Kent Hughes did not hesitate to move around the draft board, trading up in the first round to secure a player the organization clearly valued. From power forwards to big defensemen and intriguing late-round projects, the Canadiens once again focused on adding players with strong physical tools and development potential.

Gleb Pugachyov

The Canadiens made one of their biggest moves of the draft by trading up in the first round to select Russian forward Gleb Pugachyov. Standing at 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Pugachyov already possesses an NHL-ready frame. He plays the type of game Canadiens fans love, using his size to finish checks, battle along the boards and create space offensively. Despite his physical style, he is also an excellent skater who can keep up with the pace of today’s NHL.

Montreal has been searching for more size and grit up front, and Pugachyov fits that identity perfectly. While he’ll need time to develop, he has all the tools to become an impactful top-six power forward capable of contributing in every situation.

Timofei Runtso 

In the second round, Montreal selected Timofei Runtso, a right-shot defenseman from the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League. After going undrafted in 2025, Runtso responded with an excellent season, recording 44 points in 68 games while taking on significant responsibilities at both even strength and on special teams

Right-handed defensemen are always valuable, and Runtso’s ability to contribute offensively while playing reliable defensive minutes makes him an intriguing prospect. His second draft eligibility shows the importance of patience in player development, and the Canadiens clearly liked the progress he made over the past year.

Cooper Cleaves 

The Canadiens continued to prioritize size by selecting Cooper Cleaves in the third round. At 20 years old, Cleaves is another overage selection who already brings plenty of experience. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound defenseman played at Dartmouth College, where he developed into a reliable defender capable of handling difficult minutes. Cleaves may not have the highest offensive ceiling, but his maturity and physical game could make him an interesting player to watch over the next few seasons.

Brayden Klimpke 

One of the more intriguing selections came with Brayden Klimpke. The Saskatoon Blades defenseman produced 47 points in 68 WHL games, showcasing strong offensive instincts from the blue line. Klimpke had an excellent first pass, but he is also comfortable carrying the puck himself when lanes open up. His mobility allows him to join the rush without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities, while his hockey IQ helps him recognize when to attack and when to make the simple play. With his balanced skill set, Klimpke could develop into a dependable two-way defenseman at the professional level.

Parker Trottier 

In the sixth round, the Canadiens selected Parker Trottier, grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. The 18-year-old left winger spent the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Trottier has already committed to the University of Notre Dame, where he will begin his NCAA career. The Canadiens will now have several years to monitor his development before making decisions on his professional future.

Wesley Royston 

Montreal also selected Wesley Royston, another player who fits the organization’s recent trend toward bigger forwards. Standing 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Royston has excellent physical tools to build upon. Like many late-round selections, he remains a longer-term project, but his combination of size and athleticism gives the Canadiens another prospect with intriguing upside.

Jean-Samuel Daigneault and Tyler Deakos 

Montreal’s final selections added two more interesting prospects. Defenseman Jean-Samuel Daigneault is more of a stay-at-home blueliner who recorded five assists in 47 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. While offense isn’t his calling card, his defensive reliability gives him a solid foundation to build from.

The Canadiens closed out their draft by selecting Tyler Deakos, a 19-year-old forward who registered 17 points in 19 USHL games this season. His offensive production over a limited sample suggests there may still be room for growth as he continues his development.

The Canadiens’ 2026 draft class followed a familiar blueprint under Hughes and Jeff Gorton. Montreal added size throughout the lineup, selected multiple players who showed significant development over the past year, and continued strengthening its defensive pipeline with several intriguing blueliners.