Penguins recall Emil Bemstrom from AHL, activate Boko Imama from IR

The Pittsburgh Penguins made several roster transactions Thursday night ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena.

Forward Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Bemstrom’s gear was spotted at the Penguins’ Cranberry practice facility Thursday morning, while coach Mike Sullivan had indicated that an AHL recall was possible before getting underway against the Flyers.

An all-star at the AHL level this season, Bemstrom is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s leading scorer (21 goals, 25 assists).

He has appeared in two NHL games for the Penguins this year, averaging 12 minutes, 14 seconds of ice time with no points.

In addition, forward Michael Bunting was placed on injured reserve after undergoing a procedure to remove his appendix.

Sullivan said Bunting, who leads the Penguins with nine power-play goals, will be out indefinitely.

Through 58 games, he’s scored 14 goals with 15 assists.

The Penguins also ended forward Boko Imama’s stint on injured reserve.

Imama was described by Sullivan as available Thursday night vs. Philadelphia.

If he suits up, he’d make his first appearance since before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, having suffered an undisclosed ailment Feb. 7 vs. the New York Rangers.

Typically deployed in a fourth-line role, the bruising 28-year-old has no points, averaging 5:28 of ice time.

Finally, the Penguins reassigned forward Matt Nieto to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Nieto was placed on waivers Wednesday but cleared, allowing for assignment to the AHL.

In 31 games with the Penguins this season, Nieto, a frequent healthy scratch, has one goal and two assists.

He is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $900,000 annually.