The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed their last remaining restricted free agent, inking forward Emil Bemstrom to a two-year deal worth $900K per season through 2023-24.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen spoke on the deal:
Emil is a skilled and offensive forward who has the ability to find the back of the net with an accurate shot. He is young and still developing but we believe he has a lot of potential to become an important part of our organization over the next few seasons.
Bemstrom battled injury in 2021-22, but managed six goals, five assists, and 11 points in 43 games. Over the past three seasons in the NHL, the 23-year-old has 36 points in 117 games.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2017, Bemstrom has already made more of an impact than most expected given his draft position. He has yet to match his 10-goal, 20-point rookie season in 2019-20, but injuries have limited him to a combined 61 games over the past two years. A healthy campaign could do wonders for Bemstrom’s development.