Kevin Gravel
Kevin Gravel opened 2026-27 training camp assigned to Milwaukee's (AHL) camp rather than Nashville's, which points to a season as veteran AHL depth rather than an everyday NHL role.
Role
Per NHL.com's Sept. 22, 2026 roster-cut announcement, Gravel was one of five defensemen sent to Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) training camp when Nashville trimmed to a 40-man camp roster (23 forwards, 12 defensemen, five goaltenders). He is not currently practicing or playing exhibition games with the Nashville varsity group, so there is no Daily Faceoff NHL line or power-play slot to report for him. He was recalled to Nashville once before, on April 11, 2026, when the Predators needed blue-line depth, and NHL.com noted at that time he had captained Milwaukee for the previous three seasons, which is the template for how he would return: an injury-driven call-up rather than a training-camp roster spot.
He is a known NHL-caliber veteran (34 years old, plenty of NHL games with LA, Edmonton, Toronto, and Nashville) who has already proven last season that Nashville will recall him when its NHL blue line needs a body, and he wears the captain's letter in Milwaukee, so he is first in line for any recall.
Being assigned to AHL camp on Sept. 22, 2026 while Nashville's 40-man camp roster keeps other defensemen on the NHL side is a clear signal he is not currently in the mix for Nashville's opening-night lineup, and any NHL time this season would depend on an injury to someone ahead of him.
Where analysts split
There is no current analyst debate to report here: the only concrete, dated evidence found is the NHL.com camp-roster move sending him to Milwaukee, and no Daily Faceoff line combination, beat-writer projection, or Athletic piece discussing his NHL role for 2026-27 was found in this search.
Research confidence: thin. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at D
Fantasy Memo reads your league and answers that every Monday, and checks your lineup on the days you play.
Connect your league: 14 days free