Gleb Pugachyov, a prospect for the Canadiens, is facing criticism online following a dispute that supporters are still debating this afternoon.
Montreal chose him with the 26th overall pick in the 2026 draft. He was born in Almaty and is currently 18 years old. This footage is the first opportunity for many Canadiens fans to see him in action, as he is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and has not yet played an NHL game.
The first response was as you would expect. The Habs fan base praised loudly after a high first-round choice won a battle.
The atmosphere changed as the answers started coming in after that.
According to certain analysts, Pugachyov’s opponent should have stopped when he fell down, as it was a negative picture. Others contend that the opposing team’s players stepped in to break up the fight and that he continued for a short while while the other player was on the ground.
“just beat the hell outta” the other player, according to a post made this afternoon by a Habs fan account.
Since the online comments are the source of all information regarding the second half of that combat, it should be handled with caution. However, the criticism is justified if it turned out as those critics claim. The code regarding fighting in hockey is straightforward and old: when someone is down, it’s finished. Extra blows are not awarded for winning the battle.
Does a fight change Montreal’s view of Pugachyov?
Not by itself. A development plan is not altered by a battle involving a prospect who has never played in an NHL game, and Montreal has no cause to rush anybody at the moment.
With a record of 11-3-4, the Canadiens rank third in the Atlantic Division. Without a teenager who needs to establish anything, the roster is winning.
