Predators recall forward Joakim Kemell, expected to make debut tomorrow: "It's what I've worked for so hard every day"

Kemell, 20, expected to make NHL debut tomorrow night in Chicago

(Kemell/C/Panthers)

By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter

NASHVILLE--A smiling Joakim Kemell could be seen at Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, joining the Nashville Predators for practice Thursday morning.

Recalled by the Predators today, Kemell is expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow night as the Predators travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks.

"I'm feeling great; I'm so excited," Kemell said following practice. "It's what I've worked for so hard every day, so I'm feeling great."

Kemell admitted the call-up wasn't necessarily unexpected.

“I got the call (yesterday), and I knew. (I’m) a young kid, excited, first time called up here, so I was just laughing. I was so excited to call my parents going there, and it was just unbelievable.”

He later confirmed his parents will make the trip to Chicago for his debut.

GM Barry Trotz hinted at giving youth players in the organization using the term"reset". Not "rebuild"; "reset."

“It’s not a rebuild-,”  Trotz told The Athletic in November. “I’m not in the business of not winning. I’m in the business of trying to win. We’re not selling off. We are resetting. We know where we are. It’s not where we thought we would be, but we want to move forward."

(C/Dave Kallmann)

Head Coach Andrew Brunette mentioned that he expects Joakim Kemell to make his NHL debut tomorrow night in Chicago.

Kemell, 20, is expected to play on a line with Fedor Svechkov and Tommy Novak, or with Ryan O'Reilly's line. Yet nothing is confirmed at the moment.

"He's definitely stronger." Andrew Brunette said, following practice, "In practice today, I thought he skated really well. And his whole 200-foot game has been much better."

On advice for Kemell, "I think just using his speed. He can really shoot it. When he relies on his shot before skating, that's when we get (the other) teams in trouble. "

During his time with the Admirals this season, the Predators' 2020 first-round pick has posted 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 38 games.

He becomes the fifth rookie to make an NHL debut this season for the Predators, joining Ozzy Wiesblat, Adam Wilsby, Fedor Svechkov, and Zach L'Heureux.

Ice Insider is your go-to source for Predators news, updates, and more!