Trade confirmed: Columbus Blue Jackets - Pittsburgh Penguins

Trade Details

Columbus Blue Jackets Acquire: Alexander Nylander · $0$775,000$775,000 (AHL/JR) 2026 6th round pick (PIT) [Conditional]* *Conditions: If Emil Bemstrom scores at least 6 goals with the Penguins from now until the end of the season then the 2026 6th RD pick is upgraded to a 2026 3rd RD pick. Result: Columbus will receive the 2026 6th round pick. Sum: $0$775,000$775,000 Change: -$900,000 Change: -$125,000 Change: -$125,000

Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire: Emil Bemström · $900,000$900,000$900,000 Sum: $900,000$900,000$900,000 Change: +$900,000 Change: +$125,000 Change: +$125,000

This can’t be… Pittsburgh acquiring someone under 30?

With the conditional of the pick being a 3rd if Bemstrom scores 6 Goals, it's a fair deal IMO

I mean Dubas kept saying “younger” ad nauseam yesterday

Bemstrom is a guy that Dubas' was keen to draft back in 2017 but it didn't work out that way.

Better than AHLander for sure.

Dubas trades for an AHLer by giving up an AHLer and a pick? Nothing more than Dubas loving to lose draft capital for nothing

Great trade for CBJ

Not a surprise whatsoever, Bemstrom was forever connected to the Leafs when Dubas was GM. I was shocked he didn't put a claim in for Bemstrom when he hit waivers. In fact, I actually made an ACGM team back in November speculating the fit between Bemstrom and Pittsburgh.

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/4701740

I honestly feel like Bemstrom could find new life in Pittsburgh, but this is a player the Pens could've gotten for free instead of parting with a pick and a player (regardless of how little those picks and players really matter). I hope Alex Nylander gets a decent opportunity in Columbus, he's not a bad player. Could be a skilled bottom 6 option, but I doubt he becomes much at this stage in his career. Bemstrom is more likely to be good for the Pens than Nylander with the Jackets IMO

I'm going to say Columbus wins because they got stuff back for a guy that could've been claimed for free just a few months ago, even if the stuff they got back is nearly nothing.

Best trade deadline day trade today.

oh, you're 3 weeks too early guys.

This is pretty fair. I’d prefer to be Columbus for the pick but Bemstrom does have a higher ceiling in his remainder of his career

The pens are buying? Honestly thought they'd be sellers this season.

Dubas really gave up a 3rd round pick for a guy who was on waivers this year? Wild

waste of a 6th round pick. Even with the low chance on those picks, this isn't improving the team.

Imagine telling someone a year ago that Dubas traded Nylander

Ahlers trade, ugh!

The illusion of action...

I wouldn’t call this buying lol

I don’t like the condition but it’s easy to not have him score 6 goals… scratch him when he’s close.

FINALLY, a trade of any kind. It's been wayyyyy too quiet

Hey Dubas finally got his Nylander back lul

Imo this is a fair deal. Both players needed a change of scenery. While the pens get the better player, they could have claimed Bemstrom for free on waivers so I guess it's a fair deal overall and a W for both teams.

Still a weird condition. He still traded a 6th round pick for a guy who you now want to limit if he's actually good, and if he's good you want to scratch him so you don't give up a high draft pick.

Fair deal, Bemstrom has more potential so the pick goes to CBJ, Bemstrom needs a change of scenery and Nylander seems destined to be a good AHLer at this point

Pittsburgh is trying to save their season and make the playoffs.

If Bemstrom scoring 6 goals helps Pittsburgh make the playoffs, then Pittsburgh will allow Bemstrom to score 6 goals.

Even if it ends up costing Pittsburgh a 3rd round pick.

Aside from that, Bemstrom wasn't worth claiming off waivers and Pittsburgh is giving up a draft pick for him regardless of what happens.



Columbus wins the trade.

Pittsburgh wins the trade. I think Bemstrom has a decent amount of potential.

I hope CBJ gives Nylander a chance the rest of the year. I thought he did decently well that year with the Hawks and then had to have knee surgery and missed a year. He seems to have the talent and does well in AHL just hasn’t translated to NHL.

Maybe they didnt had cap space then? I think he was waiwers in November? So his Cap hit would been higher for Pens (Mean almost 100% of 900 000dollar). Or do PIT still need to pay full cap hit (this year) or is cap hit divided on days? I am not fully sure about rule. Second what i think is, that now they roster size stay in 48/50. So if they would taken Bemström from waiwers, they would been able to add only 1 contract more in rest of the season. Now giving Nylander they still stay in 48/50. Contract management can be important in trade deadline if you are buyer. For draft pick, i think they had to pay it, because Bemström potential is bit higher and he can see NHL time in PIT and Nylander wasnt able to see NHL time in PIT.

Sorry if my english is bit hard to read, bit difficult topic to explain with my lvl of english.