Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In the days leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, WGR will provide profiles on some players that could be available for the Sabres with the 20th overall pick in the first round.
Gleb Pugachyov is a high upside Russian winger with a ton of skill and speed to his game.
For much of his draft season, Pugachyov played at the junior level with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod in the MHL, where he managed to dominate games as a power forward. He finished his season with 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 33 games played. He then added nine points (3+6) in 16 playoff games, helping Chaika to a deep run in the playoffs.
Pugachyov's play was good enough to earn him call ups to the top men's league in Russia through the course of the season. With Torpedo-Gorky NN in the second-tier VHL, Pugachyov managed a goal and four assists for five points in 15 games.
However, the biggest call up came from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where Pugachyov was able to net a pair of goals and add an assist for three points in 13 games played.
To get any chance to play in, arguably, the second-best league in the world as a 17-year-old is significant, and Pugachyov didn't look overwhelmed with the playing time he earned at the top level in Russia.
What stands out the most among Pugachyov's game is his motor, as he's constantly on the go and on the attack with his speed and tenaciousness. He's got a good powerful stride that helps him close in on the forecheck quick and chase down loose pucks. His edge work is good, and can cut and shift on a dime when working in-close with the puck.
Pugachyov certainly will not shy away from getting his nose dirty or taking pucks hard to the net. He understands his style of play has to be hard around the net, and can either get there by winning positioning battles or taking the puck there himself.
The 6-foot-3 and 198-pound winger also showed well in his brief KHL action that he is not overwhelmed by the physical nature of the top professional league, and was able to engage and compete in tough battles as a teenager and fare well.
Pugachyov possesses a very nice release with his wrist shot, as the puck comes off the stick quick and clean on a consistent basis. He's also got a nice hard shot to his arsenal that makes him a well-rounded goal scorer. And while he has that knack to score and play below the hash marks, Pugachyov can also find the back of the net from distance.
The native of Almaty, Kazakhstan also has good enough hands to put a nice touch on passing plays, allowing him to feather pucks to teammates and create scoring chances that way.
Where Pugachyov can use some improvement in his game is trying to force too many plays to happen, rather than having the patience to slow the game down to his liking and be even more dangerous around the ice. While a strong motor is good to have, sometimes it's about containing that high-energy pace and playing more calm, cool and collected.
Much like with other Russian prospects at the draft in recent years, it'll be a question of when a player like Pugachyov decides to make the jump to North America and join their NHL squad. Many prospects are afforded the ability, as of late, to continue playing over in the KHL and fully groom their professional game to the point they're making an immediate jump to the NHL, rather than having to play first in the American Hockey League and battle for playing time at the top level.
Where some prospects get in trouble, though, is in the KHL, many coaches are not playing players with development as a mindset. Some prospects tend to struggle after their draft year when they get to the top Russian level, but are still only playing limited minutes in a lesser role.
Pugachyov proved this year he can make an impact at the KHL level even at his young age. Now it's about getting him playing full-time in the KHL with Torpedo and ensuring he's a top producer and not being held back. If he can prove to be a solid contributor in the KHL following his draft year, whichever NHL team takes a flyer on him will reap the benefits.
It's always a risk for NHL teams drafting Russians, but Pugachyov might just be one a team might take in the first round.
