The Montreal Canadiens took a decisive step 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 seasoned player, enhancing their roster. That spot arrived two picks ahead of where Montreal originally stood at 28th.
They also made a big push for defenseman Artem Marchenko, a physical presence. Reports described the offer massive, showing ambition.
If this trade goes through, Montreal gets an older, bigger defenseman to help its blue line, adding depth.