Any rookie trying to make an NHL team would dream of a performance like Joakim Kemell's on Oct. 4.
In the Nashville Predators' 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena, Kemell scored in overtime just moments after laying a vicious hit at center ice, igniting the home crowd.
"I've seen a lot of things, but I don't think I've seen a hit like that," coach Andrew Brunette said after the game. "Then to back it up with a goal . . . that was pretty fun to be a part of, I'm happy for (Kemell)."
Kemell's hit on Andrei Svechnikov came with just over two minutes left in 3-on-3 overtime. As Svechnikov carried the puck through the neutral zone, Kemell lined up a textbook shoulder-to-chest hit that sent him flying.
"It was just perfect, I just kind of (saw him) cut straight to the middle," Kemell said.
The hit sent a roar through the arena and even led to a retaliatory penalty by Carolina's Sebastian Aho. On the ensuing power play, Kemell drilled a one-timer from the right circle to win it for Nashville in the final preseason game.
It was his goal and second point of the preseason.
"It was amazing," Kemell said. "That's what I like to do, it's kind of my job. It felt really good."
Kemell should already be a lock for Nashville's 23-man opening night roster, which must be submitted to the league on Oct. 6. The Predators announced after the game that Nic Hague (out 2-3 weeks, upper-body injury) and Matt Wood (week-to-week, lower body) will go on injured reserve to start the season, putting the roster at 22. Adding Luke Evangelista, who was signed on Oct. 4, will bring it up to the max 23.
Though he's clearly not afraid to lay hits, Kemell is expected to be a goal-scorer in the middle of the lineup, playing with Steven Stamkos and Fedor Svechkov. A first-round pick in 2022 (No. 17 overall), he has played in 146 games for the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), scoring 41 goals and 53 assists. He made his NHL debut last season, registering eight shots on goal in two games.
The Predators open the regular season at home on Oct. 9 (FanDuel Sports Network, 7 p.m. CT) against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Joakim Kemell's hit, OT goal show he's ready for Predators role