Player Discussion: All things Emil Bemstrom

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Based on highlights I've seen of him, he pretty much lives in the left face off circle. He's a bit of a small guy so I wonder if the goals he scored in close in front of the net will happen in the NHL when he sees big NHL D. The highlights videos I've seen also don't really show any puck handling skills. Lots of slap shots. He's got a super quick release but I just don't see him as NHL ready yet.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CharlotteJacket]

Based on highlights I've seen of him, he pretty much lives in the left face off circle. He's a bit of a small guy so I wonder if the goals he scored in close in front of the net will happen in the NHL when he sees big NHL D. The highlights videos I've seen also don't really show any puck handling skills. Lots of slap shots. He's got a super quick release but I just don't see him as NHL ready yet.

I know the highlight films don't say everything about a player, but it was a little bit odd that almost every goal he scored was from the Ovi spot.

 

[majormajor]

Based on highlights I've seen of him, he pretty much lives in the left face off circle. He's a bit of a small guy so I wonder if the goals he scored in close in front of the net will happen in the NHL when he sees big NHL D. The highlights videos I've seen also don't really show any puck handling skills. Lots of slap shots. He's got a super quick release but I just don't see him as NHL ready yet.

I'm sure he's ready for NHL powerplay duty, but putting him in the NHL next year just seems like a bad way to develop the rest of his game. Torts wouldn't play him enough, for one. We want to give the kid a chance to develop in a more well-rounded way, so I hope he's in Cleveland or loaned back to the SHL.

 

[CBJx614]

I'm sure he's ready for NHL powerplay duty, but putting him in the NHL next year just seems like a bad way to develop the rest of his game. Torts wouldn't play him enough, for one. We want to give the kid a chance to develop in a more well-rounded way, so I hope he's in Cleveland or loaned back to the SHL.

Before he came over I would've said the exact same thing about Texier.


But really, unless he lights up camp he's gonna be in Cleveland. But if he can do what Texier did and light up the AHL Jarmo will give him a shot.

 

[Prntscrn]

He has one year left on his deal in Sweden so he's not going to be in Cleveland

 

[majormajor]

He has one year left on his deal in Sweden so he's not going to be in Cleveland

Sweden seems like the best place for him either way.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Sweden seems like the best place for him either way.

Agreed. Him making our roster would say a lot about our chances next year. I think another year in Sweden is whats best.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

He was better than Texier while playing in a better league this year. No reason why he isn't on the team.

 

[majormajor]

He was better than Texier while playing in a better league this year. No reason why he isn't on the team.

I don't know if that's true. I think leading your Liiga team, as Texier did, is just as good as being one of several scorers on an SHL team, as Bemstrom did. And the scouting reports we get from Sweden (including SHL watchers posting here) are that Bemstrom really is primarily just a powerplay sniper at this point. Texier took a giant leap a year ago to round out his game. Bemstrom still has to do that.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I don't know if that's true. I think leading your Liiga team, as Texier did, is just as good as being one of several scorers on an SHL team, as Bemstrom did.

Bemsrtrom led the entire LEAGUE in goals. Texier led his TEAM.

And by the way, how good would a power play specialist look on the Blue Jackets?

 

[majormajor]

Bemsrtrom led the entire LEAGUE in goals. Texier led his TEAM.

And by the way, how good would a power play specialist look on the Blue Jackets?

Yeah but that is Bemstrom's one asset at the moment, his left-circle shot on the powerplay. Texier was better two-way and better in the playmaking department.

I put limited stock in some of those stats. Tolvanen, from the same draft as Texier and Bemstrom, shot the KHL to pieces a year ago, and that's an even better league. He hasn't been able to translate that to North America yet. Funny enough Wennberg was a goal scoring dynamo in his last SHL season, though we were all told that was out of character. SHL stats seem to be funny like that. It would take a Pettersson-like performance in the SHL, where a guy dominates in all facets of scoring, to really tell you something.

I think Bemstrom would look good on the Jackets PP next year, but the kid has a long career ahead of him and if we want him to develop into the total package we ought to put him in the best position to do that, which is probably the SHL.

 

[Theo Von]

I disagree with those saying Bemstrom should register another season under his belt in the SHL.

Hoping the kid impresses in camp, makes the big club, and excels to the max

 

[CharlotteJacket]

I remember how giddy some were over Abramov who tore up the juniors but struggled a little in the AHL. I'm going to hold my bets on Big Ben, Tex, Foudy, and Elvis until I see them be productive in the NHL.

 

[CBJx614]

I remember how giddy some were over Abramov who tore up the juniors but struggled a little in the AHL. I'm going to hold my bets on Big Ben, Tex, Foudy, and Elvis until I see them be consistently productive in the NHL.

fixed that for ya.

 

[mikeyp24]

He was better than Texier while playing in a better league this year. No reason why he isn't on the team.

Would you really put shl above Liiga? Right now I personally think the fin league has been better at turning out prospects and overall play over the past 5ish years. Guys like Aho, Laine and a few others have stood out while Petterson was the Swede I think of. Personal preference I guess. I personally go NHL, AHL, NCAA, KHL, Liiga, SHL, WHL, OHL/USHL (tied), Q for best place to play/grow prospects.

 

[NotWendell]

Here's a novel idea... LET THE PLAYERS DECIDE by who plays best and gives the team what it needs

 

[Fred Glover]

Here's a novel idea... LET THE PLAYERS DECIDE by who plays best and gives the team what it needs

Hear hear!

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Bemstrom eyes role with Blue Jackets for upcoming campaign

"He's going to get a great opportunity here to not only play but play a big role and be a goal scorer on this level that he was in the Swedish League," Kekalainen said of a player who signed a three-year entry-level contract in May.

 

[MatchesMalone]

Would you really put shl above Liiga? Right now I personally think the fin league has been better at turning out prospects and overall play over the past 5ish years. Guys like Aho, Laine and a few others have stood out while Petterson was the Swede I think of. Personal preference I guess. I personally go NHL, AHL, NCAA, KHL, Liiga, SHL, WHL, OHL/USHL (tied), Q for best place to play/grow prospects.

Ok as long as we're clear that the NCAA is not as good a league as KHL, Liiga or SHL, but since you mean as a development league I'd probably agree.

I also think there is something to what you say about the quality of play in Liiga. Until recently, SHL would be clearly the better league, but when you look at the Word Junior Championships, and World Championships they're winning, and the NHL stars coming out of that league, I for one am reconsidering my assessment.

 

[Maylo]

Bemstrom eyes role with Blue Jackets for upcoming campaign

"He's going to get a great opportunity here to not only play but play a big role and be a goal scorer on this level that he was in the Swedish League," Kekalainen said of a player who signed a three-year entry-level contract in May.

I heard this about Davidson last year. Emil will go back to Sweden next season. He's not ready for NHL. Especially under Torts.

 

[Viqsi]

I heard this about Davidson last year. Emil will go back to Sweden next season. He's not ready for NHL. Especially under Torts.

"He's going to get an opportunity here" doesn't mean "he'll be on the roster". It means he'll be in the competition and folks will be paying close attention.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I heard this about Davidson last year. Emil will go back to Sweden next season. He's not ready for NHL. Especially under Torts.

Just like Texier was, you're right. He had no chance to play under Torts.

 

[Maylo]

Just like Texier was, you're right. He had no chance to play under Torts.

Yeah, one mistake and he was benched. I'm surprised you didn't bring Marty into this. But for the sake of discussion - Tex has more than one dimension in his game.
You wanna bet or something?

 

[spintheblackcircle]

One mistake? He made many mistakes