Nashville Predators' Vitali Pinchuk to make NHL debut vs Ottawa Senators

Nashville Predators rookie Vitali Pinchuk will make his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 10 (6 p.m. CT, The Spot Nashville 28).

The Predators made the announcement shortly after morning skate in Ottawa, while also announcing that defenseman Jayden Struble, who was acquired in a trade with Montreal on Oct. 9 , will make his Predators debut against the Senators.

Pinchuk spent the last four seasons with Dynamo Minsk (KHL) before signing with the Predators on April 27. The 24-year-old was assigned to the AHL before opening night and played one game with the Milwaukee Admirals on Oct. 3. He was recalled from Milwaukee on Oct. 4.

Pinchuk signed a one-year, entry-level contract worth $1 million, choosing Nashville over several other NHL teams. The left-handed center scored 31 goals and 35 assists in 65 games for Dynamo last season.

Nashville Predators open training camp at Ford Ice Center Bellevue

Entering training camp, Pinchuk was a bit of a mystery. A native of Zhlobin, Belarus, Pinchuk played one season with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) in 2019-20, but left for the KHL after he was not selected in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Pinchuk played in the Predators' rookie tournament in North Carolina in early September, then played in two preseason games during full camp. Against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 24, Pinchuk scored a goal on his first shift, then added an assist in a 6-5 loss.

A 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward, Pinchuk is a smart offensive player with good net-front instincts. His puck skills and shooting seem NHL ready, but his speed and skating are going to need work. He will likely play a minor role on the bottom six while he adjusts to NHL speed.

Struble was acquired for a 2027 second-round pick. The 25-year-old has played 174 games for the Canadiens scoring seven goals and 28 assists. He was originally a second round pick in 2019.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com , follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds .