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Vitali Pinchuk signs entry-level contract with Predators; Canucks were ‘in the mix’

Photo credit: Hockey.By

By Tyson Cole

Apr 27, 2026, 14:34 EDT

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One of the KHL’s best free agents has officially chosen his landing spot in the NHL.

Per the NHL team’s socials, Belarusian centreman Vitali Pinchuk has signed an entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators for next season.

Nashville Predators

@PredsNHL

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New guy in gold 🤝 We’ve signed forward Vitali Pinchuk to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2026-27 season. More details » preds.club/4ucYSuq

4:30 PM · Apr 27, 2026

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Pinchuk, 24, is a 6’3″, 203-lbs centreman who has spent the previous five seasons between the KHL and the Belarusian league. Pinchuk took that next step this season with Dinamo Minsk, scoring 31 goals and 35 assists for 66 points in 65 games. His totals had him finish sixth in league scoring. In eight playoff games, Pinchuk scored two goals and five assists for seven points. Dinamo went on to sweep their first-round matchup 4-0 against Dynamo Moscow, only to be swept themselves by AK Bars in the second round.

The Zhlobin, Belarus native has continued to progress since joining the KHL full-time in 2022-23. That season, he scored 14 points in 61 games, followed by a 22-point campaign in 43 games in 2024-25, 43 points in 61 games in 2024-25, and then the offensive explosion this season.

Pinchuk was a highly regarded KHL free agent around the league, and according to Donnie & Dhali’s Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks were in the mix on Pinchuk, but ultimately did not land the player.

Rick Dhaliwal

@DhaliwalSports

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#Canucks were in the mix but won't land this player.

Dan Milstein

@HockeyAgent1

Vitaliy Pinchuk has made the decision to continue his career in North America. Following a one year process, including virtual meetings with multiple NHL teams, the team has been selected and a 1 year NHL entry level contract has been agreed upon. Official announcement to follow.

3:09 PM · Apr 27, 2026

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According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Vancouver Canucks were not a part of Pinchuk’s final decision. It was down to the Predators and the Los Angeles Kings, with Pinchuk choosing the former.

Elliotte Friedman

@FriedgeHNIC

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Heard this weekend choice was between Los Angeles and Nashville. Word is Kings told they are out…that says Predators, although no one will confirm yet.

Dan Milstein

@HockeyAgent1

3:13 PM · Apr 27, 2026

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In 2022-23, the Canucks landed KHL free agent Andrei Kuzmenko, signing him to a one-year, $950,000 entry-level contract. He went on to have a breakout season, scoring 39 goals and 35 assists for 74 points in 81 games. The following season, he took a dip in production, scoring just eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 43 games before he was ultimately traded to the Calgary Flames in a move that brought Elias Lindholm to Vancouver.

The current Canucks centre-depth consists of Elias Pettersson, Marco Rossi, Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger and Aatu Räty. Pinchuk’s size would have been an added value to that group. But he will start his NHL journey in Nashville, rather than Vancouver.