Marc Dumont
The Montreal Canadiens added another prospect to the mix at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, selecting Timofei Runtso with the 57th overall pick.
As was the case when they picked Gleb Pugachyov in the first round, the Canadiens trade up to ensure they could pick Ruuntso. Montreal sent the 61st and 125th overall picks to the Carolina Hurricanes to complete the deal.
Ruunsto, 18, is a right-handed defenceman hailing from the WHL, where he scored 11 goals and 33 assists in 68 games for the Victoria Royals. He’s committed to playing for Miami University (Ohio) in the NCAA next season.
A smart, mobile, puck-moving defenceman, Ruunsto stands at 6’3″, and loves to be involved with every aspect of the breakout, including high-end playmaking, and impressive puck-handling skills.
The Habs opted to trade a pair of first-round picks in exchange for Noah Dobson in 2025, which means they did not add a significant amount of draft capital to the mix, at least compared to most years under Hughes’ regime.
Seeing as they could not swing a deal for a player who can make an immediate impact in the NHL, the Canadiens opted to use their first round pick, selecting Gleb Pugachyov. They also moved up in the draft to ensure they could select Pugachyov with the 26th overall pick.
You can click here to view the complete draft list via the NHL.
The Montreal Canadiens owned eight draft picks heading into the 2026 NHL Entry Draft:
- 1st Round – 26th overall – Gleb Pugachyov
- 2nd Round – 61st overall
- 3rd Round – 93rd overall
- 4th Round – 103rd overall (from Winnipeg Jets, via New Jersey Devils), 125th overall
- 6th Round – 189th overall
- 7th Round – 221st overall, 224th overall (from Carolina Hurricanes)
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