COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Columbus Blue Jackets have exchanged Emil Bemstrom for left wing Alex Nylander from the Pittsburgh Penguins and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. 

Nylander, 25, has been recalled and is expected to join the Blue Jackets prior to Friday’s game.

Nylander has recorded 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points with 20 penalty minutes and 137 shots on goal. He averages 12:17 of ice time in 98 career NHL games with the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Sabres since making his NHL debut in 2016.

He set NHL career highs with  with 10 goals and16 assists, as well as 10 penalty minutes in 65 appearances with the Blackhawks in 2019 and 2020. This season, he has registered 10 shots in five contests with the Penguins.

Nylander won the Canadian Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League Rookie of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016.  He has also represented Sweden in various international tournaments.

Bemstrom, 24, has registered 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points with 28 penalty minutes, 12 power play goals, five game-winning goals and 331 shots on goal. He averages 12:02 of ice time in 204 career games with the Blue Jackets since making his NHL debut in 2019.

The Blue Jackets will play next when they host the Sabres at 7 p.m. Friday at Nationwide Arena.