Emil Bemström wasted little time making a name for himself in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform.
The team’s recent addition via trade scored his first goal as a Penguin in his debut game, and he picked a great time to do it. The team needed as many hands on deck as possible in their crazy, thrilling, stressful 7-6 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Bemström was added by general manager Kyle Dubas from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Alex Nylander and a sixth round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
For a deeper analysis on the trade itself, I did a whole piece on it here.
For Bemström, he had a chance to provide a spark to a struggling bottom six in Pittsburgh that has been devoid of offense all season long.
For Nylander, it was a fresh start. Nylander had been a forward virtually stuck in the AHL. He did not impress in his NHL looks this season (or preseason), so the move was beneficial for him to get a shot in Columbus.
But there’s an interesting condition on that sixth rounder a few years down the road.
If Bemström scores six or more goals during the remainder of this season, that sixth rounder gets bumped up all the way to a third rounder.
It’s a crazy condition, and the kind of upgrade that will take place should the condition happen is unlike something typically seen in a trade in the NHL, but if Bemström can really provide scoring upside for the Penguins, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
And he’s on his way:
And on the power play no less?
This goal was a good breakdown of some of the skills Bemström brings to the Penguins. He has good instincts and a wicked shot when he’s open (and he very much was on this play).
Bemström played 10:50 in this game, had 3 shots, threw a hit, and had the aforementioned goal. He looked comfortable in his early showing in Pittsburgh, and after the game was given the team’s helmet.
It was a good opening game for Bemström as a Penguin. He has the ability to be one of this team’s best bottom six forwards.
Whether that’s a statement on my belief in him, or a statement on Pittsburgh’s utterly abysmal bottom six, I’ll leave up to you.
As for Bemström, consider us here at Fifth Avenue Sports (which is me and all the voices) officially on Bemström six-goal watch.
We’re at one. How many more?
(Featured photo via the Pittsburgh Penguins)
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