Penguins Recall Emil Bemstrom

NEW YORK — In a sign of things to come, in the immediate and perhaps long term, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Emil Bemstrom Friday morning in advance of the team’s game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Friday night.

The Penguins sent Jesse Puljujarvi to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins earlier this week to clear a roster spot. The team is awaiting word on center Sidney Crosby’s status. Crosby was injured Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils, but finished the game.

Crosby did not practice Wednesday and skated by himself before leaving practice early Thursday at the UPMC Lemieux Complex.

UPDATE: Crosby will not play Friday against New York. Coach Mike Sullivan was non-committal about anything beyond Friday.

This season, Bemstrom, 25, has been an offensive force for WBS. The forward has 41 points, including 19 goals in 37 games. The Penguins acquired the forward last season in a swap with the Columbus Blue Jackets for Alex Nylander. The Penguins re-signed Bemstrom to a one-year deal with a $775,000 cap hit on July 1.