Top Predators prospect Joakim Kemell expected to make NHL debut Friday against Blackhawks

An opportunity for one of the Nashville Predators’ top prospects to shine is on the horizon.

On Thursday, the team announced it has called up forward Joakim Kemell from its American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. When speaking to the media, head coach Andrew Brunette says he expects Kemell to make his debut with the Predators take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

Kemell seems to be a little more certain that he will make his debut with the Preds, as he admitted that his parents will be at the United Center for the game.

The Finnish forward was seen taking reps during practice on a line with Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos, as well as a little further down the lineup with Tommy Novak and Fedor Svheckov. Brunette wasn’t too clear on who Kemell might play with, but he hinted that he might appear on Ryan O’Reilly’s line against the Blackhawks.

Kemell has been growing to become an efficient scorer in North America since coming over late in the 2022-23 season. After a solid introduction to the AHL by scoring 10 points in 14 games during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Jyväskylä native had a solid rookie season the following year, scoring 41 points in 67 games.

That level of play has carried into this season. The 20-year-old has scored nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 38 games, sitting second on the Admirals in scoring. In 119 career appearances, Kemell has notched 31 goals and 48 assists for 69 points, including 21 points in 29 postseason games.

The Preds took Kemell in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Predators (18-27-7) are seventh in the Central Division, five points ahead of the last-place Hawks, and 16 points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.