Alex Nylander For Emil Bemström Trade Finalized On Wednesday

Last night the trade between the Blue Jackets and Penguins was finalized. 

In the trade that sent Alex Nylander back to the CBJ, the Pens would also send a conditional pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The condition? If Emil Bemström scored 6 goals the rest of the season, that 6th round pick would become a third-round pick instead. A very tough ask if you know anything about Emil Bemström.

Going into last night's game, Emil Bemström would be deemed "not available" and would be scratched. This would mean he would end his season with 3 goals scored as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and a sixth-round pick would be secured by the Blue Jackets. 

In an oddity, Bemström scored in his first game a Penguin, back on February 25th, and his last game on April 15th. Odd sure, but nothing surprising if you've watched Emil Bemström's career.

Alex Nylander came to Columbus and flourished. He would play in 23 games after being traded, scoring 11 goals and totaling 15 points. His 11 goals were a career high as was his 16:45 of Ice time. Nylander is now an RFA and will probably be given an extension and a nice raise. 

Emil Bemström is also an RFA, but it's anyone's guess if Pittsburgh will extend him or not. 

As of today, the Columbus Blue Jackets own nine picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.  

More From THN Columbus

Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.