Penguins Demote Jarry, Recall Blomqvist & a Forward

As expected, Tristan Jarry’s return to the NHL roster was merely to create space at the AHL level so netminder Joel Blomqvist could play games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and remain sharp for the resumption of the NHL’s regular season this weekend.

With the team scheduled to resume practice Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Complex, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled Blomqvist and forward Emil Bemstrom, who is the second-leading scorer in the AHL with games in hand on the leader.

Blomqvist, 23, has played in 11 NHL games this season, posting an .896 save percentage and 3.54 goals against. However, the numbers bely the quality of play he’s provided. A couple of low shot-total games and the Penguins’ troublesome attitudes toward defending have also been problems.

Blomqvist stopped 17 of 20 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers in the last game before the break on Feb. 8.

Bemstrom, 25, has 20 goals and 44 points in 41 games with the WB/S Penguins. He’s scoreless in two NHL games but also had a strong effort in the penultimate game against the New York Rangers before the NHL’s Four Nations Face-Off break.

Bemstrom averaged 12:14 of ice time in the two games after his call-up. The Penguins acquired him last season from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Alex Nylander.

Jarry was returned to the WBS Penguins. He does not need to clear waivers because he was back with the NHL club for less than 10 games or 30 days. Jarry will join goalie Filip Larsson at the AHL level. While in the AHL, Jarry’s NHL salary cap hit is reduced to about $4.2 million.