Exploring draft pick possibilities can be tricky. Throughout our preview series this year, we’ve mentioned multiple times how Los Angeles could go in any number of directions at the 2026 event: possibly veer from their typical target, stick with what works, fill a need, signal an organizational change, or several other rationales.
One component we likely don’t touch upon enough is culture.
With future Hall of Famer Anze Kopitar’s recent retirement, the Kings are a Drew Doughty away from losing every single Cup-winner from the Dean Lombardi-era. Part of that success centered around the intangible quality of culture. While not superstars on their own, highly heralded pieces of that group included guys like Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, and Matt Greene — players who helped set the team’s overall attitude.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at someone who may very well fit that mold more than most among this year’s crop of hopeful draftees.
Gleb Pugachyov
Vitals
Date of Birth: March 25, 2008
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 198 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2025-26 Season
Pugachyov spent his 2025-26 season with the Nizhny Novgorod organization, bouncing between various Russian leagues. He mainly played in the MHL (i.e. best description is Russia’s major junior), where across 33 games, he had 24 points (10 G, 14 A).
Torpedo’d
The highly physical forward was set to start this past season with the Torpedo at the KHL level. Unfortunately, surgery to address appendicitis during training camp sidelined him, and he was moved to the MHL during recovery.
Missed Them By That Much
We love to look at relationships, especially teammates. Pugachyov missed wearing the same jersey as a couple names familiar to fans in Los Angeles. Current Kings prospect Kirill Kirsanov and former Cup-winning blueliner Slava Voynov both played for Torpedo prior to this season. As a result, he never overlapped with either.
The Silver Lining
While Los Angeles traded for star winger Artemi Panarin a few months back, their efforts to reel in Russian talent haven’t always yielded solid results. Sometimes, a prospect playing in major junior hockey provides reassurance, but Pugachyov hasn’t been picked in any other league yet to incentivize his journey to North America. He also signed a contract extension set to expire in 2028; some may see the likelihood of him crossing the pond before then to be questionable at best.
However, one strong indicator of his interest to play NHL hockey is his commitment to participate in a pre-draft showcase held in Florida predominantly for Russian prospects.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
No. 42 by Elite Prospects. “When Pugachyov’s textbook mechanics and the ability to achieve ideal depth are combined with his hulking build, he becomes an immovable object for most defencemen in the net-front and a nightmare to deal with along the boards. He has the makings of a monster puck protector off the cycle, already proving he could bounce grown men off him with ease.
Given we’re talking about truly high-end attributes even on the NHL scale, those alone should give Pugachyov a high floor – there’s just not many worlds where he doesn’t become at least a highly desirable fourth-line power winger whose value should only increase come playoff time.
Whether Pugachyov becomes more than that will depend on how well the offensive side of his game develops and translates. Through his power qualities, he’ll at least be able to drive pucks to the net, but there are also flashes of a capable playmaking game. During our best viewings, he showed he could connect plays quickly and create chances for his teammates off some of his forechecking steals through first-touch passing, even showing a rare hint of deception.”
No. 30 by McKeen’s, “‘I like hockey in the playoffs. It’s a completely different, five times harder, dice-to-bone game. This is my hockey.’ Gleb Pugachyov lives for playoff hockey, and with the growing emphasis on “playoff-style” hockey surrounding the NHL draft, Pugachyov’s profile becomes intriguing very quickly. Pugachyov is one of the most violent players in this class, throwing bone-crushing hits on a nightly basis with his 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame, never afraid to mix it up after the whistle, stand up for teammates, or throw an extra shove after scrums along the boards or in front of the net. He’s a menace, always looking to set the tone and get under the opposition’s skin. But he isn’t just some classic old school goon. Pugachyov pairs this physical style of play with a high motor, powerful skating, a hard shot, and the brain to contribute in all areas of the ice. The combination of physicality and two-way game gives him a very safe floor to play in a bottom six role, terrorizing defenders when he’s in on the forecheck, and playing pivotal minutes on the penalty kill.
Pugachyov was set to start the season in the KHL with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, but suffered from appendicitis on his first day of training camp, which required surgery. He missed all of camp recovering and was sent to the MHL to get back up to speed. When he finally got his call-up in January, Pugachyov fit in nicely, playing a strong bottom six role and contributing in the ways he knows how, with hard forechecks, big hits, and solid defensive play. His ability to keep up with the pace and physicality of professional hockey at just 17 years old is a testament to Pugachyov’s chances of making it to the NHL.”
No. 11 by Hockey Prospect, “Pugachyov is the most imposing player in this class, who blends explosive athletic traits with devastating physical instincts. Some players take time to physically mature. In this class, players at the top like Gavin McKenna, and further down the list like Igor Barabanov (despite being older) need significant projection in terms of their physical maturation. Then, there’s players like Pugachyov, who at 17, can detonate grown men at the KHL level.
We haven’t seen a player this intimidating since Tom Wilson, and that’s really saying something considering the type of impact Tom Wilson currently has. Like Wilson, Pugachyov isn’t the most calculating player at times, relying more heavily on his over-powering nature, but what makes us not only comfortable but excited is that he blends his power with a lot of natural skill. Pugachyov has a set of soft hands, he can one touch process the play, and he has an underrated shot.”
See For Yourself
Video of Pugachyov in the MHL vs. Yaroslavl Loko:
Final Comments
The Kazakh-born winger blends an interesting range of projections and concerns. In 13 KHL games, the highest level of Russian hockey, he put up 3 points while averaging less than 10 minutes per appearance. Scouting reports suggest a high floor due to his capacity to engage physically and knock down men already at the tender age of 17. On the other hand, general consensus also questions his upside as far as offensive talent.
This raises the question of what matters more: a promise of highly productive talent… or someone who loves playoff hockey and has the tools to impose their will when it matters most? If this question was presented to Los Angeles, in their current state, the answer could be both.
If that is indeed the answer, then Kings scouts may have a tough task in front of them: how do you get both? Do they target him as a potential first round selection or do they gamble? As arguably the Draft’s toughest player, will another team swoop him up before the Kings select again in the second round?
Bringing in someone like Pugachyov via free agency or a trade isn’t easy, because most NHL GMs don’t like letting go of people capable of impacting games the way he can. McKeen’s has him ranked as the best hitter. Elite Prospects took the idea a step further. They like to give badges to prospects to identify traits (such as ankle-breaker, fleet of foot, etc). They made one especially for Pugachyov, labeled ‘Freight Train.’
It’s a position as unenviable as it is exciting, because if the Kings’ staff sees what others highlight about this player, missing out on acquiring him may hurt as much as one of the young winger’s body checks.
He was one of the players featured at the Russian showcase / combine in Florida too. Story here:
Hockey’s Best Kept Secret is Happening This Weekend in Florida
To see more profiles from this year’s Draft Preview series, be sure to check out the links down below.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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