Joakim Kemell is entering the 2025 AHL playoffs with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He just put up a solid 40-point season with the Milwaukee Admirals. His 19 goals were the second most by an Admirals player this season—two less than Jake Lucchini. Going into the playoffs, he's looking to prove his case as the worthiest Admiral for a spot in the Nashville Predators lineup next season. We're going to evaluate Kemell's game and determine whether he's ready to take that next step in his career.
Kemell's Two Game Stint with Predators Was Impressive
We saw the Finnish forward take to the NHL ice in February for two games against the Blackhawks and Sabres. Even though he failed to record a single point in those two starts, he didn't fail to impress. His NHL debut saw him set a new franchise record for most shots recorded in a game by a rookie. His seven shots were two more than former Preds forward Craig Smith with five. He also registered two hits and even drew a penalty.
He was benched for half of the first period after a bit of failure adapting to the big leagues. In the second and third however, he gained more confidence and played with pride. He looked way more confident and finished each shift strong, 15 of them to be exact. However, we saw Kemell take only 10 shifts the following game, generating only one shot on goal. He recorded a +1 plus/minus but that wasn't enough to keep him in the lineup for another game. He was sent down the next day.
In those two games, we saw a future superstar in the making. Former Predators GM David Poile saw potential in Kemell which led to his selection in the 2022 NHL draft with the 17th overall pick. A combination of Kemell and somebody like Forsberg—another European winger—is something any fan would ask for. A one-two punch on the top line is something the Predators desperately need, especially with Gustav Nyquist gone.
Kemell's AHL Performance Has Been Extremely Consistent
Kemell has remained consistent, showing no signs of regression—a promising trend for a young forward. He's put up back-to-back 40+ seasons along with 15+ goals in both of them. He's shown a lot of speed and creativity which is something Nashville has been trying to find all season. If Kemell can keep up with the NHL speed, he can be a very solid scorer that catch many defenders off guard.
Take some time to watch some of his plays from last season. King Kemell is unstoppable on the ice.
I really love his progression in the minors. Preds and Ads fans remember when he made his AHL debut with the Admirals three seasons ago. His 13 points—6 goals and 7 assists—are the most by any Admirals player in the first 14 AHL games. In the playoffs, he's even more clutch. He recorded ten points in his first 14 playoff games, including an astounding 8 goals. He came through with an 11 point, 15 games postseason run the following season, yet again proving his consistency.
Kemell's Only Real Weakness is Defense
Many NHL scouts noted his inconsistencies when it came to playing defense. Andrew Forbes from TheHockeyWriters noted that his forecheck in the d-zone wasn't the strongest among the top of his draft class.
"The development in his game has shown inconsistencies in multiple areas from his ability to use his stick on the forecheck to his defensive zone coverage."Andrew Forbes, The Hockey Writers
He had a -10 plus/minus this season despite playing on the AHL's third-best defensive team. The previous season, he had a -2 +/- and a -5 +/- the season before that. His size and strength aren't anything to be too impressed about. The 5'11", 182 lbs forward isn't known to use his body physically unless it's along the boards. Forbes also wrote that he would much rather stick check rather than using his body.
These trends highlight concerns on his defensive capabilities and physicality. The Predators need their top scorers to also play solid defense; If he hopes to secure a consistent role at the next level, improving his defensive awareness and willingness to play a more assertive, physical game will be crucial.
Is Kemell NHL Ready or Does He Need More AHL Time?
GM Barry Trotz and Head Coach Andrew Brunette should seriously consider giving Kemell another shot next season. He’s proven his offensive reliability at the AHL level, and with continued development—particularly on the defensive side—he has the potential to be a long-term contributor in Smashville. Pairing him with a familiar face like Fedor Svechkov, a defensively sound center, could further accelerate his growth and confidence.