{"id":562083,"date":"2026-04-29T00:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T00:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/562083\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T00:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T00:12:17","slug":"can-vitali-pinchuk-help-nashville-predators-what-to-know-about-former-khl-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/562083\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Vitali Pinchuk help Nashville Predators? What to know about former KHL star"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Nashville Predators’<\/a> search for center help apparently led them to Belarus.<\/p>\n

While not exactly a wellspring of hockey talent, the country has produced some NHL players \u2014 most notably the Kostitsyn brothers, Sergei and Andrei, both of whom played for the Predators<\/a> under then-coach (now general manager) Barry Trotz.<\/p>\n

Now Trotz is hoping Belarus’ latest hockey export, center Vitali Pinchuk<\/a>, can help the Predators immediately.<\/p>\n

The team signed the 24-year-old to a one-year, entry-level contract worth $1 million on April 27, beating out several teams for the ex-KHL star. He scored 31 goals and 35 assists in 65 games for Dynamo Minsk last season, drawing interest from the NHL after going un-drafted in 2020.<\/p>\n

But who is this guy? And how can he help the Predators? Here’s what we know.<\/p>\n

Who is Vitali Pinchuk? What to know about former KHL star<\/p>\n

Pinchuk, from Zhlobin, Belarus \u2014 a country sandwiched between Poland and Russia \u2014 was one of the top KHL free agents this spring. In six seasons with Dynamo Minsk (2020-26), he totaled 74 goals and 73 assists in 254 games, but most of that production came in his last two seasons.<\/p>\n

During his draft eligible season (2019-20), Pinchuk played with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, with 13 goals and 21 assists in 54 games. After he was not drafted that summer, he left for the KHL.<\/p>\n

This is a route many European-based draft rejects take. Continue development in an adult league, establish your skills, then hopefully the NHL market comes calling.<\/p>\n

That’s what happened with Pinchuk. A 6-foot-3, 203-pound left-hander, he grew his offensive game significantly the past four years, elevating to more than one point per game this past season:<\/p>\n

Pinchuk has several skills that entice the Predators. He’s big, plays center and is surprisingly fast. He’s not a true burner, but accelerates well through the neutral zone. His puck skill and shooting ability seem above average, but it’s admittedly difficult to judge quality of competition in the KHL.<\/p>\n

Writing for Elite Prospects<\/a>, scout Dylan Griffing said this of Pinchuk last November:<\/p>\n

“On a line with three players accustomed the the centre job, (Pinchuk) provided the best off-puck support. Great size and physical habits with surprising speed, taking up space in all three zones to disrupt, pick off lanes, and support breakups . . . apart from his defensive game, he showed flashes of interesting short passing plays.”<\/p>\n

Where could Pinchuk fit into Predators’ lineup?<\/p>\n

Expect the Predators to give Pinchuk a real shot next season. We’ll see how it shakes out in September, but he’d likely enter training camp as the third-best center behind Ryan O’Reilly and Matthew Wood. Nashville still might sign a center in free agency \u2014 plus there’s 2025 first-round pick Brady Martin, who could make the permanent jump to the NHL next season<\/a> \u2014 but Pinchuk will be in the mix.<\/p>\n

ESTES: So the Predators aren’t rebuilding? Does the new GM know that? <\/a><\/p>\n

Keep in mind, the Predators have signed European undrafted free agents before with no success. In 2018, they signed 22-year-old Swedish forward Carl Persson, who never made it out of the ECHL and is now back in Sweden. In 2017, they signed forward Victor Ejdsell, another 22-year-old from Sweden: He never played for Nashville, though he was part of the package to acquire Ryan Hartman from Chicago in 2018.<\/p>\n

But Mats Zuccarello, Artemi Panarin, Andrei Kuzmenko and Pius Suter (among others) all went un-drafted, then landed as NHL free agents after developing in Europe in their 20s. The Predators are getting creative in their search for center help, so give them credit for that.<\/p>\n

WHAT WE LEARNED: Predators’ season wrap-up revelations, including Barry Trotz’s tattoo<\/a><\/p>\n

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com<\/a>. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter,\u00a0@alexdaugherty1<\/a>.\u00a0Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page\u00a0@tennessean_preds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Can Vitali Pinchuk help the Predators? What to know about KHL star<\/a><\/p>\n