Back with something to prove.
When Emil Bemstrom was recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Cleveland Monsters this week, it became his chance to finally succeed on the ice at the NHL level for the Blue Jackets.
He was re-signed to a two-year, one-way contract in the off-season, and that was a tad surprising since it meant he would need to clear waivers if he didn't make the NHL roster out of camp.
That's exactly what happened as Bemstrom did not make the team out of camp, cleared waivers, and went to Cleveland.
"This will be a real defining moment for his career" head coach Brad Larsen said before the season. "Things change quick. If he doesn't get picked up, within a week or a day, he could be back here and thrive.
"It's how you handle it. Nobody wants to go through (adversity), it's tough, but that's an opportunity to grow."
At the time of Bemstrom's recall by the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, he was in a tie for the AHL lead with 14 points and leading the Monsters in points, and goals (seven), and was in a tie for the team lead with Brendan Gaunce—also recalled by the Blue Jackets—with seven assists through 10 games.
Bemstrom played on the second line with Gus Nyquist and Jack Roslovic in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
"(Nyquist) and (Roslovic) are great puck handlers so I'm just trying to find open space for shots," Bemstrom said. "It's going to be good if we can find chemistry."
As Jeff Svoboda of BlueJackets.com writes, Larsen was thrilled with Bemstrom's progress in Cleveland.
"I checked in every week with the coaches just to make sure, and his attitude has been tremendous," Larsen said. "He's been great with his teammates. Hardest worker in practice. It translates into games. He handled it the exact way you want to handle that situation, and I'm really proud of him for that."
Both Bemstrom and Gaunce got their shot against the Flyers in Thursday's game. While Gaunce added an assist on Nick Blankenburg's empty-net goal at 18:21 of the third period, Bemstrom did not crack the score sheet.
One big opportunity did come for Bemstrom while on the power play.
As the Flyers had a short-handed odd-man rush forming in the Blue Jackets zone during the second period, Nyquist forced the Flyers' turnover, getting the puck up ice and finding Bemstrom for the odd-man rush going the other way. Carter Hart made the glove save.
Though he didn't score a point, Bemstrom led the Blue Jackets with five shots on goal, dished out one hit, and had two takeaways in 14:11 ice time.
Not a bad season debut for a player trying to spend more time in the NHL, and in Larsen's starting lineup.
Thursday's win was much needed for the Blue Jackets as they stopped a five-game losing streak, but it comes at a heavy price.
A rash of injuries is taking its toll on the club, including news that Zach Werenski will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum and separated shoulder after leaving Thursday's game in the first period.
Erik Gudbranson left the game in the second period, leaving the team with four defensemen. He is considered day-to-day but is out for Saturday's game against the Islanders. Blankenburg suffered a broken ankle and high ankle sprain but finished the game. He'll miss six-to-eight weeks. Jake Voracek and Sean Kuraly (upper body for both) each missed Thursday's game and have been placed on injured reserve. Kent Johnson missed Thursday's game for precautionary reasons but is healthy and should return soon.
Gavin Bayreuther, David Jiricek, and Marcus Bjork have been recalled from Cleveland, as Bjork will be set to make his NHL Debut on Saturday at the New York Islanders.
The injuries aren't ideal but it certainly allows Bemstrom to seize his NHL moment.
