After missing the first two months of the season due to injury, Columbus Blue Jackets winger Emil Bemstrom has played in just 30 games in 2021-22.
In his first 20 games, he posted a paltry 2-2-4, averaging just 9:29 average TOI. In his most recent 10 games, he's doubled his previous point total, tallying 3-2-5. And while his TOI is only slightly higher at 10:44 per night in the past 10 games, his most recent four games (2-0-2) have seen his ice time up to 12:21, and over 12 minutes on three of four nights.
It may seem like a small difference, but try telling that to Bemstrom. He's been noticeably more engaged off the puck, and he's been rewarded with scoring chances that have resulted in goals. Now, he's being rewarded with more ice time. Talk about the chicken or the egg.
The 22-year old Bemstrom is still young by any standard, but it's safe to say the bloom is off the rose. Just think how much has changed for Bemstrom in three years. At 19, he led the SHL in goal-scoring as a teenager and was repeatedly mentioned by GM Jarmo Kekalainen as one of the organization's top prospects. Today, the Blue Jackets are integrating younger players, like Cole Sillinger (age 18, 13:35 average TOI) and Yegor Chinakhov (21, 12:27) into the lineup. In a week's time, Kent Johnson will be here. Next season, we could expect Kirill Marchenko, to say nothing of any other developments that could occur (the Blue Jackets could pick in the top-five in the draft, for example).
Even a month ago, I wondered if Bemstrom's time in the NHL (or at least, in a Blue Jackets sweater) was coming to an end. Now, I'm not so convinced.
Like many young players, Bemstrom is often tasked with proving his worth lower in the lineup. Problem is, Bemstrom isn't a prototypical fourth-line type of player. That can lead to a vicious cycle for a young player, who struggles in a checking role, thus can't elevate himself in the lineup, thus can't play with more skilled players, thus can't use his best attributes. Then again, there are only so-many top-six (or top nine) spots in the NHL. Last week, playing alongside Eric Robinson and Brendan Gaunce, he scored a goal right at the goalmouth.
Emil Bemstrom cuts the Columbus deficit to one, swatting home the terrific feed from Eric Robinson in tight!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/3IykWeV769
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) April 1, 2022
That seemed to prompt a change in thinking from the coaching staff. In Saturday night's loss against the Boston Bruins, Bemstrom played with Sillinger and Jakub Voracek on the second line. In Tuesday night's win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Bemstrom skated primarily alongside Gus Nyquist and Sillinger, again in a top-six role.
Emil Bemstrom goes upstairs and gets the @BlueJacketsNHL on the board. pic.twitter.com/bPlLzC9GHl
— NHL (@NHL) April 4, 2022
There are a few considerations moving forward, both from the player's side as well as the organization's. The Blue Jackets have player control over Bemstrom, who will be an RFA after this season. The Blue Jackets could easily qualify Bemstrom, and he would return on a one-year deal that would push him one year closer to UFA. After that fourth season, Bemstrom would also have arbitration rights. Basically, Columbus could take a flyer on Bemstrom for another year (or more) with minimal financial risk.
But does Bemstrom want to return for another year? Perhaps it shouldn't be of concern, but I tend to worry about a team being on the hook for a player's younger years before he develops into an NHL star with another team (remember, the Blue Jackets once had and traded Jonathan Marchessault). Not to compare the two directly, but it wouldn't shock me at all to see Bemstrom, a shoot-first right-shot winger, go on to have a successful NHL career.
Perhaps, like other Europeans who give the NHL a shot to varying levels of success, he opts to return to Sweden's top league. He's clearly had success there before, and NHL bottom-six players leaving for Europe are a dime a dozen.
Either way, Bemstrom isn't a shoo-in to have a spot in the lineup next year. The remaining games on the schedule may be trivial in terms of the Blue Jackets' spot in the NHL standings, but you better believe they're of major consequence to Bemstrom.
