3 things to know about Jonathan Dahlen

It isn't every day that Jim Benning gets praised enthusiastically.

The Vancouver Canucks general manager, reviled for his inactivity at the trade deadline last season, began the process of redressing previous failures Monday afternoon by moving veteran winger Alex Burrows to the Ottawa Senators for intriguing forward prospect Jonathan Dahlen.

Here are three reasons why Benning is being patted on the back.

Dahlen wasn't Ottawa's best prospect, but a damn good one

The Senators have been linked to quite a few trade scenarios over the last few weeks, but the thought has been that they weren't major players for the high-end assets believed to be available because they were married to blue-chip prospects Thomas Chabot and Colin White.

In being cut loose for a veteran well beyond his prime, Dahlen clearly isn't regarded in quite the same manner, but the second-round prospect does possess major talent.

Dahlen has produced nearly a point per outing against the men in Sweden's second division. For comparison's sake, his production at the same age and against the same quality of competition has exceeded that of one of the NHL's hottest scorers, Filip Forsberg.

His production leads all teenagers in Sweden's second tier.

The Canucks did their homework

Though Benning clumsily referenced Youtube in his assessment of the 19-year-old volume scorer, Canucks management seem to have scouted Dahlen extensively.

Benning mentioned the high-end toolbox and scoring instincts, but seemed particularly impressed with the Swede's willingness to earn opportunities in tough areas.

"He's got a good nose for the net and he'll pay the price to get there."

Dahlen turned heads at the World Junior Championship a few months back, scoring five goals at the tournament.

The center, who can pack more muscle onto his 5-foot-11 frame, should slot in behind first-round selections Brock Boeser and Olli Juolevi as the Canucks' No. 3 skating prospect.

His old man could play

Jonathan is the son of Ulf Dahlen, a former first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers who averaged 0.68 points per game and wore six sweaters in his 14-year NHL career.

Jonathan was born in 1997 during Ulf's short stint with HV71 Jonkoping of Sweden's top division in the middle of his NHL career. He returned to North America after his two-season run there, playing three with the Washington Capitals before one final year with the Dallas Stars.

His best season came in 1992-93 when he scored 35 goals and 39 assists for the Minnesota North Stars.