# Why Vitali Pinchuk Missing From Nashville Lineup

> Nashville Predators' Vitali Pinchuk struggles to find role after signing with team.
- Title: Why Vitali Pinchuk Missing From Nashville Lineup | Shortify
- Summary: Nashville Predators' Vitali Pinchuk struggles to find role after signing with team. Nashville Predators' Vitali Pinchuk has played in only five of first 12…
- Keywords: vitali pinchuk, nashville predators, khl, 2026-27 season, nashville predators lineup, forward, sports, Vitali, Pinchuk, Missing, Nashville, Lineup
- Source: Nashville Predators On SI — https://si.com/nhl/predators/onsi/news/why-hasnt-vitali-pinchuk-been-nashvilles-lineup
- Published: 2026-10-28T18:30:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: vitali pinchuk, nashville predators, khl, 2026-27 season, nashville predators lineup, forward, sports
## Vitali Pinchuk's Struggle
Nashville Predators signed one of the top KHL players this summer but Vitali Pinchuk has played in only five of first 12 games.
## Pinchuk's KHL Performance
Pinchuk was third-best scorer in KHL last season with 31 goals and 66 points for Dinamo Minsk.
## Andrew Brunette's View
Andrew Brunette says team is building Pinchuk's game and figuring out his role in the lineup.

> "Yeah, I think with Vitali we're just trying to build his game, trying to figure out how he can fit into our lineup, where he fits, center or wing,"
## Pinchuk's Game Logs
Pinchuk played 11:10, 11:27, 8:19, 4:01, and 5:10 ice time in last five games.
## Team Changes
Team added Mavrik Bourque, Jack Drury, Alexander Kerfoot, Ross Colton, Nils Höglander, and Adam Edström.
## Role Uncertainty
Crowded forward room and blue line uncertainty have limited Pinchuk's playing time.
## Team Lineup Pattern
Nashville has used 11 forwards and seven defensemen in five of first 12 games.
## Key takeaway

Nashville Predators' Vitali Pinchuk has played in only five of first 12 games due to role uncertainty and small sample size.