The Columbus Blue Jackets, positioned towards the bottom of the league standings, appear ready to reshape their roster as the trade deadline approaches, initiating their strategy with a notable transaction.
In a move that sets the stage for their trade deadline strategy, the Columbus Blue Jackets have traded forward Emil Bemstrom to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The return package includes forward Alex Nylander and a conditional 2026 6th round draft pick, as officially announced by the team today.
This season, Bemstrom has divided his time between the NHL and AHL, recording 5 goals and 11 points over 32 games with the Blue Jackets and adding 10 goals and 14 points in just 8 AHL games. Nylander's contributions have been more modest this season, with no points in 5 games for the Penguins. Throughout his 98-game NHL career, Nylander has tallied 14 goals and 34 points.
As the trade deadline of March 8th draws near, both the Blue Jackets and Penguins are expected to be active, potentially making further adjustments to their lineups. This trade could be just the beginning of a series of moves aimed at repositioning both teams for future success.