Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Draft Prospectus: Could Joakim Kemell Be Detroit’s Pick at No. 8?

Might Finnish right winger Joakim Kemell slide to the Detroit Red Wings at the No. 8 overall pick of the 2022 NHL entry draft?

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2022

Bob Duff

It's probably a longshot that Joakim Kemell will still be there when the Red Wings select at No. 8 in the NHL entry draft.

The first round of the NHL entry draft is to take place on Thursday, July 7 in Montreal. At 8th overall, the Detroit Red Wings will be making their first-round selection. Based on talking to scouts, GMs and other hockey people, as well as studying the mock drafts of top NHL draft experts, Detroit Hockey Now is looking at players who could potentially be Detroit’s selection. Today, we look at JyP HT Jyvaskyla right wing Joakim Kemell.

Joakim Kemell

Joakim Kemell is a Finn with plenty of finish. Playing against men for JyP HT Jyvaskyla pf Finland’s SM-liiga, Kemell ended up tying for third on the club with 15 goals.

Only 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, Kemell nonetheless is the owner of a reputation for being hard to play against. He displays an eager willingness to battle for his space on the ice.

Question: What makes you happy?
Me: This clip of Joakim Kemell and his scoring instincts.

Joakim Kemell is heating up again…this is his 14th goal of the season.#2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/3mzlQCROa3

— Marek Novotny (@MarekNovotny96) March 11, 2022

In the offensive zone, Kemell comes equipped with an arsenal of weapons he can utilize in order to get the puck into the opposition net. His shot is not only deadly, but it’s multi-faceted. He can overpower goalies with his one timer, or catch them unprepared with his powerful and quick wrist shot.

Why The Red Wings Might Select Kemell

Another aspect that the Red Wings will love about Kemell is his ability to play a 200-foot game. He’s a solid skater and determined forechecker. On the attack, he’s a pure sniper, a dangerous player with the puck on his stick.

He scored 12 goals in his first 16 games of the season before a shoulder injury ended up slowing Kemell’s output. Kemell’s silky mitts are combined with an ability to feint and fake out defenders with his deft mobility. He’s been compared to Boston Bruins mega talent David Pastrnak and St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko.

Kemell’s upscale hockey IQ and his attention to detail on the defensive side of the puck would also be appealing to the Red Wings.

Why The Red Wings Won’t Take Kemell

Will Kemell make it to Detroit at No. 8? That seems to be the biggest question. Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report has him going seventh overall. TSN draft maven Bob McKenzie also is seeing Kemell coming off the board at No. 7, right before the Red Wings are slated to make their selection.

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Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting, is even more bullish on Kemell. He rates the Finnish winger as the No. 3 player in the draft order.