Photo credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
A forward acquisition by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens is already generating buzz on the other side of the Atlantic.
Gleb Pugachyov is being compared to former Bell Centre fan favorite Alexander Radulov.
The first thing that stands out about the young prospect is his frame.
Videos of his devastating hits in the KHL have been making the rounds online, and now the comparisons are becoming even more frequent.
Several journalists have echoed the comparison.
Pugachyov himself admits that he likes it, and it’s easy to understand why.
What the Canadiens prospect admires about Alexander Radulov’s game
Radulov enjoyed a long NHL career before returning home.
At 40 years old, he continues to play in the KHL and dominate.
What appeals to Pugachyov is his motor. His intensity, his commitment on every shift, and his refusal to take a night off.
That is exactly the kind of mindset the Montreal Canadiens’ management wants to hear about.
You don’t last long in Montreal without playing with heart… Just ask some of the former players who have been traded over the past few years.
Their size also makes the comparison a natural one.
The prospect dreams of becoming that type of player, someone capable of delivering punishing physical play while also contributing offensively with smart decisions.
Radulov was not the only name he mentioned.
Three players who handle the puck well while also imposing themselves physically on the ice.
The closest comparison remains Nichushkin, in my opinion. A big power winger, whereas Barkov and Matthews are centers with strong defensive tendencies.
In any case, Pugachyov will have to carve out his own path to the NHL before putting on a Canadiens jersey.
The rest is up to him. If he can bring Radulov’s level of energy to the Bell Centre, he will become a fan favorite much sooner than he probably expects.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Kent Hughes’ latest Canadiens acquisition draws comparisons to Alexander Radulov
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