Belarusian Rookie Pinchuk Set for NHL Debut as Predators Visit Senators

Vitali Pinchuk's long road to the NHL ends Saturday night in Ottawa. The 24-year-old Belarusian center will make his NHL debut for the Nashville Predators against the Senators at 6 p.m. CT after being recalled from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.

The 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward from Zhlobin, Belarus, spent the last four seasons with Dynamo Minsk in the KHL, piling up 31 goals and 35 assists in 65 games last season. Despite going undrafted, Pinchuk drew interest from multiple teams before choosing Nashville on a one-year, $1 million entry-level deal signed April 27. He previously played junior hockey for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL during the 2019-20 season.

Pinchuk skated in one AHL game for Milwaukee on October 3 before earning the recall on October 4. He won't be the only fresh face in gold Saturday: defenseman Jayden Struble, acquired from Montreal on October 9 for a 2027 second-round pick, will also make his Predators debut. For Nashville, it's a night of new beginnings against an Ottawa side that has opened the season with promise.