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Ottawa Senators Make Mistake Extending Alexandre Burrows

By Trin Potratz

Feb 18, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows (14) awaits the start of play against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows (14) awaits the start of play against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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In order to acquire Alexandre Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks, the Ottawa Senators were forced to give the veteran a 2-year extension with an annual cap hit of $2.5 million dollars through 2018-19

The Ottawa Senators stuck their hand into the rental market and brought in veteran Alexandre Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks.

Ryan Ritchie discussed his take on the deal yesterday.

This was not a good deal for the Ottawa Senators in two different ways.

  • The Senators gave up a really solid prospect during a time when “rentals” were going for draft picks. Word around the Twitter atmosphere was that Canuck fans would have been happy moving Burrows out for a 3rd round draft pick. If the Sens were to have sent a draft pick to Vancouver for Burrows this would be an okay deal.
  • The Ottawa Senators extended Burrows’ contract, signing the veteran to a two-year $5 million deal. The price isn’t that big, and yes it may have been a deal to allow the Senators to meet the expansion exposure requirements, but this is a plain mistake. Burrows is a fading 35-year-old hockey player and this deal takes him until age 37. Veteran presence is nice to have, but he’ll just be taking a roster spot from a good young player.

CHALK ONE UP FOR JIM BENNING

For a GM that gets a lot of flack, Jim Benning finally had his fan base praising him…after two years of futility.

Jim Benning has a horrid track record to my eyes. Look at his past history.

Last year the Canucks were obvious sellers, and they had a pretty good rental chip in Radim Vrbata. Benning did nothing and then claimed he did not receive a single offer for Vrbata.

When everybody was calling for the Canucks to sell, sell, sell and rebuild, Benning responded by trying to add to his team, moving potential valuable assets to bring in short-term fixes.

In adding Brandon Sutter and Erik Gudbranson, Benning moved out Nick Bonino, Adam Clendening (who they acquired in exchange for Gustav Forsling, currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks), Jared McCann, two 2016 2nd round picks and a 2016 4th round pick.

That in itself is enough to make a head shake, but Benning seems to finally understand what his club needs to do. While he has an undying loyalty to keep the team competitive for the Sedin twins, it’s a recipe for disaster and he may need to just put business ahead of loyalty.

WHO IS JONATHAN DAHLEN?

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When the deal went down, I did my research on Jonathan Dahlen. This is not a B-level prospect. This guy has a real shot to be an NHL player within a matter of two seasons.

Dobber Hockey describes Dahlen’s game as being a “solid skater who does everything at a high rate of quickness…he’s not afraid to drive to the net when carrying the puck and is a tenacious forechecker and is a solid defensive player.”

The Ottawa Senators selected Dahlen with the 42nd overall pick in last year’s 2016 NHL Entry Draft. His draft pedigree also suggests there is a player there.

He is currently playing in the second-tier Swedish league, and he is excelling for Timra IK. One player that is a good comparable for the Swedish center is the league’s hottest player Filip Forsberg.

While comparisons don’t always pan out, it’s definitely intriguing enough to believe there is some sort of merit there.

If Dahlen becomes even half of what Forsberg is and scores 15-20 goals per season in his prime, this will go down as a complete steal of a deal for the Canucks.

Next: Ben Bishop is Good Insurance for the Kings

Once Burrows finishes up his contract and retires, Dahlen will likely be making his bid for the Calder Trophy in the same season.

Alexandre Burrows will be a solid addition for a stretch run in the playoffs, but beyond that, he will be a burden.

Bravo Benning.

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