The Montreal Canadiens made a strategic move by moving up in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, raising eyebrows. They used a trade to acquire forward Gleb Pugachyov at 26th overall, a skilled forward, positioning them well. That spot arrived two picks ahead of where Montreal originally stood at 28th.
They additionally made a big push for defenseman Artem Marchenko, an experienced defender. Reports labeled the offer massive, showing ambition.
If this trade goes through, Montreal secures an older, bigger defenseman to help its blue line, adding depth.