The Montreal Canadiens finalized their selections at the 2026 NHL Draft on June 27, 2026, executing multiple trades to secure eight prospects with a distinct emphasis on size and defensive depth.
Montreal began its draft activity by moving up two positions in the first round, acquiring the 26th overall pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the 28th overall selection and a 2027 third-round pick.
The Canadiens utilized the acquired first-round selection to draft right winger Gleb Pugachyov, marking the third consecutive year the franchise has chosen a Russian prospect with its top pick following Alexander Zharovsky in 2025 and Ivan Demidov in 2024.
Focus on Size and Defense
Every prospect selected by Montreal measured at least six feet tall, and the team selected four defensemen out of their eight total choices to replenish their blue-line depth.
"Comme Marty [Lapointe] l'a dit, les défenseurs sont toujours en demande. On parle souvent de nos différents bassins d'espoirs, lesquels sont pleins et lesquels se vident.
Donc, on repêche en fonction de nos besoins," said Nick Bobrov, Co-Director of Amateur Scouting.
Bobrov noted that draft dynamics vary annually, and the available player pool naturally aligned with organizational demands this year.
"Et c'est différent de repêchage en repêchage. Parfois, il peut y avoir davantage de grands attaquants que de défenseurs.
Donc, dans le cas présent, il s'est tout simplement adonné que les défenseurs étaient les meilleurs joueurs disponibles," added Bobrov.
Trade Activity and Selections
During the second day of the draft, Montreal traded picks 61 and 125 to the Carolina Hurricanes to acquire the 57th pick, choosing defenseman Timofei Runtso from the Victoria Royals, who recorded 44 points in 68 games.
With the 93rd pick, the Canadiens selected 20-year-old American defenseman Cooper Cleaves from Dartmouth College, a 6-foot-3 right-handed player who posted 10 points in 30 games last season.
Montreal then traded the 103rd pick to the Los Angeles Kings for picks 113 and 190, subsequently flipping pick 113 to Vegas for picks 117 and 223.
At number 117, Montreal selected defenseman Brayden Klimpke from the Saskatoon Blades, a Calgary native who amassed 46 points in 68 games and is committed to the University of North Dakota.
With consecutive selections at 189 and 190, Montreal drafted forwards Parker Trottier—grandson of seven-time Stanley Cup champion Bryan Trottier—and Wesley Royston from the Owen Sound Attack.
The Canadiens used their 221st selection on defenseman Jean-Samuel Daigneault from the Muskegon Lumberjacks, before concluding the draft by picking forward Tyler Deakos 224th overall from the Waterloo Black Hawks.
