Sens Army were shocked Monday evening as free-scoring prospect Jonathan Dahlen was traded for Alexander Burrows.
TRADE: The #Sens have acquired forward Alex Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Jonathan Dahlen.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 27, 2017
I am not a fan of this trade. Straight up. This is not the trade I had in mind for this team. Attacking prowess was needed, not an agitator. They’ve sacrificed an elite attacking prospect, for a grinder, who has so-called playoff experience. Feast your eyes on this.
@CompleteHkyNews comparison of Dahlen and Forsberg doesn't make anything easier. pic.twitter.com/CNponWaQ4u
— SenShot (@SenShot_FS) February 28, 2017
Grind Over Talent
A team that could do with more some goals, already has plenty of fighters and wind-up merchants. The team needs to make a big play for a offensively minded forward, and that is putting it politely.
Burrows has a 0.47 PPG average in 822 NHL games, far from what the Sens need coming into the playoffs. Which rises ever so slightly to 0.49 PPG in the playoffs.
Conversely, Dahlen is 0.95 PPG in the Allsvenskan this season, showing a huge improvement on his first season output. A player who shows a jump like that within a season, is full of potential and should not be sold for peanuts.
Sens Army will be infuriated with this trade, it’s a dinosaur trade. Making no sense at all on all levels. Yes, a few of you will be thinking that the experience is key, i’m not doubting that it is a good thing. However, points are far more crucial now. With Ryan out of action, points are a priority.
There are enough grinders on this team to sort out that area of play, this is where the frustration comes in. Pierre Dorion has made a blunder here, no question. An asset like Dahlen, who could’ve slotted into this lineup next season, was worth more than just a straight swap. Dahlen seems extremely disappointed at the Sens decision.
Trading The Future For The Past
Doesn’t that tweet say it all? I’m sure he was extremely excited to be mentored by fellow Swede Erik Karlsson. A situation that most if not all aspiring Swedish hockey players would love to be in. It’s not all bad news for Dahlen on the Swedish front though, a think there’s a couple of twins in Vancouver?
You can’t knock that tweet, reading what you will from that, Dahlen was prepared to give his all for the Sens organisation. His thank you? Not even a sniff at the team, and traded at the first possible opportunity.
Players like Burrows are a part of the outdated, old school of hockey. Younger, faster players are taking over the league, and clubs will be wise to keep hold of those assets. The Sens will not be winning the Stanley Cup this season, and Burrows doesn’t wildly increase their chances either.
Bigger Move Needed
The Ottawa Senators have to make a move for Matt Duchene, if what Pierre Dorion has said about wanting it to happen now. His bizarre comments have been baffling mind, somewhat Trumpian in their nature.
"We're elated. Five key vets came up to me in our dressing room - one wanted to hug me and the others shook my hand," says Dorion. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 27, 2017
Hugs? Handshakes? Trading away a key young asset for a player who is massively on the decline, I don’t think so. A big play for Duchene or Tavares has to be the move, or are these comments of going for it now just smoke and mirrors?
At time of writing, it appears that Kevin Shattenkirk is headed to the Washington Capitals
Lots of rumblings tonight that Kevin Shattenkirk may be on the way to Washington.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 28, 2017
Another big fish, just missing the Ottawa net?