We were told going into Nashville Predators training camp that there would be a lot of roster competition and every player, both veterans and youth, have something to prove to the new leadership.
The Predators have gone winless in the preseason so far, but just turned in their best team performance in four games by going toe-to-toe with the Tampa Bay Lightning and taking defeat by a 5-4 final score.
Joakim Kemell, the offensive wizard and former 17th overall pick from 2022, was viewed as a longshot to make the Predators roster out of training camp mainly because he’s still so raw. It’s no easy feat to make the NHL just one year after your draft year.
Joakim Kemell Would Ignite the Predators Offense, But is he Fully Ready?
The Predators are looking to flip the script and become a much more reliable offensive team in 2023-24. It’s absolutely necessary that this team gets more scoring up and down the lineup and deploy offensive talent from top to bottom.
Kemell got the scoring going for the Predators against the Lightning on Saturday by finding a soft spot in a high danger area, with Yakov Trenin showing great vision as well to find him:
Joakim Kemell with the goal! Preds lead 1-0! #Preds pic.twitter.com/qrbnRAfOkL
— Dillon James (@dillon_james) September 30, 2023
This is the type of scoring play that shows Kemell is wise beyond his years. And it makes a coach really think past how young he is and think “we have to find room for this guy on the NHL roster, and sooner rather than later”.
I’m not sure if Head Coach Andrew Brunette is going to have that exact philosophy of rushing a young, raw talent in the NHL so fast. We’ve heard General Manager Barry Trotz caution against rushing inexperienced players into the mix too soon and crushing their confidence if they’re not ready.
Kemell tacked on an assist on a Thomas Novak goal in a game where the youth provided the scoring for the Predators. Goals from Kemell, Thomas Novak and Philip Tomasino.
Kemell also added five shots on goal and a hit in 15:05 of ice time. A productive preseason outing all the way around, despite the team’s loss.
It should also be noted that Kemell performed at a high level in the Prospect Showcase in September, including a two-goal game.
There’s probably little doubt that Kemell will make his NHL debut at some point in 2023-24, but will it be right our of training camp or further down the road due to other circumstances, like a struggling team that needs a fresh jolt of energy?
Where Would Kemell Slot in the Lineup if he Makes it out of Camp
Call me being too conservative, but I’m leaning towards letting Kemell start off with the Milwaukee Admirals and really let him thrive there. Let him be the focal point of a team and continue to build that confidence.
Furthermore, the Predators roster is already overloaded with forwards and it’s tricky enough as it is to find spots for everyone that may be deserving. Take Kiefer Sherwood, for instance. Bringing up Kemell probably means Sherwood’s spot is in jeopardy.
Same goes for Egor Afanasyev, who is entering a year where you feel like he should be fully ready to take the next step into NHL starts on a regular basis. But there’s trouble finding room for him as well, and he obviously has to earn it.
You also don’t want Kemell buried on a fourth line and getting 10 to 12 minutes of ice time. He’s not out there for that. He’s out there to score goals, and unless you’re putting him into top-six minutes and taking away a spot from a Philip Tomasino, Juuso Parssinen or Luke Evangelista, then you play the wait and see approach.
We can afford to take the patient strategy here with Kemell, and play this by ear as the season progresses. Let’s see how Kemell fairs as a primary offensive player for the Admirals, and how this Predators offense gels early on.
If Kemell were to make the Nashville Predators roster out of training camp, then I say go big or go home. At minimum, he should be on the third line and get power play minutes. Again, I’m not a total fan of this rushed approach.
One thing is clear; Kemell is the real deal and it’s only a matter of “when” and not “if” Kemell gets the call up sometime in the next year.
The Milwaukee Admirals report to their training camp this coming week, with their preseason slate opening on October 7. Kemell should at the very least see at least one more preseason game for the Predators, and quite frankly he should probably play in both of them to get a full scope.
The more game film on Kemell the better in these final two preseason games coming up against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 5th and 6th.
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