GDT: Makeup WJC 2022

[Scoresberg]

The Makeup Tournament for the World Junior Championships starts today.

The Preds have 3 players attending:
Joakim Kemell (Finland)
Anton Olsson (Sweden)
Simon Knak (Switzerland)

Finally some hockey!

Click to read more...

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

All eyes on Kemell

 

[AintLifeGrand]

looking for a big tourny from
my boy Simon Knak.

Is only NHL network broadcasting ? wish we couls get these on espn +

 

[Scoresberg]

All eyes on Kemell

He has been good in the pre-tourney games and is going to start on Team Finland's top line.

 

[herzausstein]

Looks like Kemells got himself a goal so far

Edit: make it 2

 

[Scoresberg]

Pretty good start for Kemell. 2 goals and 2 assists against Latvia.

 

[King Weber]

scored points but how did he look aside from that?

 

[AintLifeGrand]

Simon Knak been one of the most noticeable players on the Ice so far tonight. Great speed, has created a few decent scoring chances for himself

 

[Scoresberg]

scored points but how did he look aside from that?

He has looked dangerous with his shot and overall, I think he's been fine. Albeit, he's been a little too trigger-happy at times and if the only thing you're looking to do with the puck is to shoot it, you become predictable.

He has benefited from playing on the top line with two really good players in Hirvonen and Räty but I don't think he's looked out of place. He's the clear sniper/target player on that line and it's not his responsibility to be the main puck-carrier on that line.

What we also need to keep in mind is that if the tournament hadn't been moved he would be an underager. For example, he's playing with Hirvonen who's 2.5 years older than him.

Simon Knak been one of the most noticeable players on the Ice so far tonight. Great speed, has created a few decent scoring chances for himself

Agreed. He has looked good, although inefficient. Needs to utilize his linemates more.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I don't know should i even mention this because this is more 2022 U20 WJC thread
But lets still say next U20 WJC's in December Pekka Rinne will be Finland's coaching staff.
Finnish hockey association has hired Pekka for goaltending coach in U20 Team Finland.

Pekka Rinne sai uuden pestin – liittyy Nuorten Leijonien valmennusryhmään

Pekka Rinteen tulevaisuus on selvillä.

www.is.fi

 

[Scoresberg]

Pretty, pretty good Round Robin for Kemell.

 

[Predsanddead24]

Pretty, pretty good Round Robin for Kemell.

So Kemell > Bedard is what I'm getting out of this.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

simon knak with a goal

 

[Scoresberg]

Kemell and Team Finland heading onto the Gold Medal Game vs Canada.

 

[jumb0]

Kemell just tied it up late in the 3rd.

 

[jumb0]

Kemell just tied it up late in the 3rd.

*confirmed with link*

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I suppose that's a decent WJC for him... only 2nd in scoring though and while he made the All-Star team he wasn't MVP. And only a Silver medal. Plus he's already getting up there at 18, only 2 years younger than most of the players in the tournament. So yeah, not too terrible. Hopefully he can do a little better in the next one.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

That's got to be the best forward performance a Preds prospect has ever had, right?

 

[Predsanddead24]

That's got to be the best forward performance a Preds prospect has ever had, right?

This was from earlier in the tournament so looks like Kemell just edged him out.

 

[PredsV82]

This was from earlier in the tournament so looks like Kemell just edged him out.

Not terribly encouraging that we've never heard of the other guy despite holding that record... edit to add, 5th round pick in 2013...we never even signed him.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

Not terribly encouraging that we've never heard of the other guy despite holding that record

That's the same thing I thought. "Who is that?"

 

[cool beans]

Not terribly encouraging that we've never heard of the other guy despite holding that record... edit to add, 5th round pick in 2013...we never even signed him.

If you watched him play this tournament you could tell he is an absurdly good prospect. Considering he's a double under-ager for the tourny. I wouldn't worry about some WJC stat comparison.

 

[PredsV82]

If you watched him play this tournament you could tell he is an absurdly good prospect. Considering he's a double under-ager for the tourny. I wouldn't worry about some WJC stat comparison.

Thanks I forget that this is the U20 not the U18 tournament

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Thanks I forget that this is the U20 not the U18 tournament

He wasn't very good in the U18's this spring either. Measly 6 goals in 5 games.

 

[Viqsi]

From 2022 World Juniors: Scott Wheeler's full Edmonton tournament notebook

F Joakim Kemell (Nashville Predators): Skating looks clean. Played with a lot of confidence attacking at defenders one-on-one to get to the inside. Drew penalties hanging onto pucks one-on-one. Less trigger happy than he was at U18s, where he knew he had to be the guy. That opened up his game nicely and allowed him to take what was given. Made some nice plays through seams on the power play instead of always turning to the net because of it. He’s got great vision and sense through layers when he widens his plane of sight. Off the puck, he was consistently around it and getting to the dirty areas/the front of the net. Hard to believe watching him play that he was the youngest player on this Team Finland.

Simon Knak (Nashville Predators): Captain. Named top three player on team. Quick decisions. Played a lot. Looked like someone who played in the National League (a good pro league) last year. Driver for the Swiss and their most consistent shift-to-shift forward. North-south speed has added a step and he has always been a decent skater. Sturdy. Showed some nice vision picking up open guys. Their best player, as he needed to be.