Michael Sharp: Hockey Blogger Extraordinaire

For anyone with an interest in following the progress of Ottawa's prospects, and the Binghamton AHL team for which many of them play, Michael Sharp's blog, Sharp on Sens, is invaluable.

Here's a recap of his latest and greatest.

"We were the quickest team in the tournament" - new Bingo head coach Don Nachbaur's impressions of the rookie tournament in Kitchener.

"I thought all the drafted players, and the free agents that showed up, were outstanding," he said. "Had a tremendous show. I thought within the tournament our scouts did a really good job of assembling young talent, and we really utilized our speed. We were the quickest team in that tournament, and consequently, we were able to score some big numbers throughout the tournament.

"But names? Our young goaltender (Robin Lehner) was outstanding. Jimmy O'Brien was good. Condra had an excellent camp. (Keegan) Dansereau. I mean, we go through the list of guys -- I thought everybody had a real decent showing for themselves."

Lehner in 2010? - Binghamton General Manager Tim Murray talks about Robin Lehner.

"Obviously, he's committed and we've committed for him to go to (the OHL's Soo Greyhounds) this year, but we'll see the year he has in the Soo," Ottawa assistant GM Tim Murray said. "We'll see who we have coming back. As you know in the American League, there's a lot of one-year deals, and guys moving on to better opportunities, or perceived better opportunities. So, yeah, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that at 19-turning-20, he'd be playing in Binghamton."

Rookie Watch: Jim O'Brien - Binghamton General Manager Tim Murray talks about Jim O'Brien.

"He had a good tournament. Jimmy's biggest thing is consistency, I think, as any player. And strength. And early in the shift, he's really jumping and flying, and later on in the shift, you can see his strength and stamina and skating suffer a little bit. And I find that with most young players. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I think he can play both ends of the rink. He can shoot the puck. I think it's just a matter of, again, the grind. Him moving to Seattle (in the WHL) two years ago from (the University of) Minnesota I think will really help that area of it. I think he's grown up a lot, and he wants to be a player. So, he'll have an opportunity to play with good players down there, and we'll just see what he does."

Kaspars Daugavins Update - recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and almost ready for contact.

Senators Reduce Training Camp Roster by Nine Players

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 14, 2009) - The Ottawa Senators reduced today their training camp roster by nine players.

All nine were assigned to attend the club's American Hockey League's Binghamton Senators' training camp, which opens Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Binghamton's Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The group includes four defencemen: Paul Baier, Mat Robinson, Craig Schira and Kyle Wharton; and five forwards: Jason Bailey (RW), Keegan Dansereau (LW), Kaspars Daugavins (RW), Matt Lowry (RW) and Brandon Svendsen (RW).

The Senators camp roster is now comprised of 46 players: six goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 28 forwards.

M. Karlsson named to AHL All-Rookie Team

Senators defensive prospect Matthias Karlsson was named to the 2008-09 AHL All-Rookie roster, adding to the young Swedish blueliner's list of accomplishments this season. Karlsson was also named to the AHL All-Star game in January, and has recorded 50 points through 70 games this season with the Binghamton Senators.

James Mirtle claims that Karlsson "seems a lock to start in Ottawa next season", though this opinion won't be confirmed by many observers with closer ties to the Senators; even with his surprising performance in the AHL, Matthias Karlsson still stands about 9th on the Senators depth chart and will have to offer an outstanding training camp, and perhaps hope for a trade or two, in order to see regular NHL time by next year. There have also been whispers that Karlsson might be returning to Sweden next season, though the validity of these claims are entirely unknown.

It could also be possible that Mirtle was inadvertently confusing Matthias with the other young Swedish defenseman, Erik Karlsson, whose name has also been penned into Ottawa's 09-10 lineup by some.

No other Binghamton Senators made the all-star teams but it isn't absurd to suggest Brian Elliott was in solid contention for a first all-star team slot before being called up to Ottawa in early January.

Roundtable #1 - Erik Karlsson in 2009-10, Part I

A selection of Ottawa Prospector contributors participated in this inaugural roundtable. To participate in future discussions or suggest topics of debate, please visit the Ottawa Senators Forum at Hockey Broads.

The background: Senators 2008 first round draft pick Erik Karlsson has shown plenty of positive signs in the months since his selection, finding a regular role with the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite League and winning top defenseman honours at the 2009 World Juniors. He has a tremendous offensive skillset and a mature understanding of the game which belies his age. Still, his lack of size and strength might remain impediments to quick ascension in the pro ranks. While the Senators have made some moves to address their puck-moving needs on the backend, Karlsson seems an ideal remedy for many of their blueline woes and there are indications the franchise might want to speed his development by bringing him into Ottawa next fall.

The debate: How should the Ottawa Senators handle Erik Karlsson next season and going forward? Allow him become a confident star player in the SEL, gaining valuable experience? Convince him to come to Binghamton to focus mostly on training and conditioning elements? Bring him into Ottawa as a PP specialist, with access to world-class training regimen and mentors? Something else altogether? Consider these questions and more and share your thoughts in a roundtable format.

This part of the roundtable addresses the most popular conclusion, that Karlsson is not yet ready for the NHL and should remain in the SEL for at least one more season. Different conclusions will be broached in ensuing posts.

Joe Sakic:
In my mind the best path for development for Erik is to stay another season in the SEL (assuming he doesn't come in and flat out wow every one next year - like M.E. Vlasic did in SJ).

I see patience as the one common denominator that all strong drafting NHL clubs have, especially those with contributing youngsters. For Erik Karlsson, I think this should be the team’s approach. There's no doubting that from a skills perspective he's got enough to at least be a number 2 in the NHL. For Erik, he really needs to develop that physical strength that any dman needs to be able withstand the rigours of an 82+ game schedule as well as the mental strength that goes along with being a top two guy on any NHL club. Because Murray has done a fairly decent job of building some organizational depth on the backend (adding Kuba, Picard, and Campoli) I think the Sens can afford to be patient with Erik and let him develop that physical and mental strength so that when he dawns a Sens uniform he's really ready to be an impact player.

Giving Erik another year in Frolunda, where he becomes a go to guy on the back end playing key minutes in key situations would absolutely be, in my mind, the right thing to do. This will allow him to get experience being a number one/two type dman on a team where winning is expected, in a city where hockey is king. Couple the added responsibilities on the ice, with a physical regimen that can be tracked and monitored by the big club, Erik can continue to mature physically in a far less physically demanding league (the SEL vs. AHL). By affording him that added year of development, Erik could then come to NA when he's 20 and be in a better position to succeed both physically and mentally because of the added experience - assuming he continues his development path, he'd be that much more confident in himself and his game and be able to translate that confidence into results. I'd then let him ply his trade in Bingo for a year (again assuming the club feels he's not there yet), where he'd be introduced to NA style hockey on a smaller ice surface. In Bingo, I'd have him on the ice on the PP, SH and in all key ES situations so that he can continue to learn and grow and adapt his game to fit the NA style. This would also give him another year to physically get stronger preparing him for the NHL. If it's obvious that he's too advanced for the A I'd bring him up BUT not before at the very least the All Star break.

Erik's a great talent and I think if the organization can be patient with him and not rush him, he'll definitely be a difference maker for this team for years to come.

sensdiehard:
I hope we don’t rush him. He stills looks young. As Jacques Martin might say, a boy still, not quite ready for a man’s league. When he is clearly ready to take a lead role on this team, he should come over.

As Holland was quoted to suggest recently, and as the old Montreal dynasty teams used to always live by, prospects develop as long as they need in the minors and don’t come up until they are ready. That has been the hallmark of excellent organizations in the past. Hopefully we have the luxury of doing it properly too.

zamboner:
In ideal conditions, Karlsson would get another year with Frolunda, but with twice as much ice-time. He started the year strongly, wowing us with his game against the Senators in the pre-season. Following that, he was hot and cold with Frolunda, and was prone to bad defensive play. A huge WJC helped put any fears to rest, but Karlsson remains low on the club team's depth list.

Karlsson has the skill, but lacks the strength and size to step onto an NHL rink. He'd probably be a Brendan Bell right now. Think about it, Bell would have been the MVP of the WJC had he been there. I don't know why people think Karlsson would step in and immediately be a real player in the NHL.

However, the situation the Senators find themselves in is NOT ideal. They're in desperate need of a play-maker on the back-end, as the defensive corps is skilled, but lacks any kind of offensive creativity. Karlsson has a mind unlike any other defensemen within the Senators organization, and Murray will likely find that mere fact very appealing. He's got to find a way to improve the blue-line without trading away any more forward depth.

So, he should play another year in the SEL (or AHL, but I doubt it), but will likely be given a big chance to make the team next year.

Pothier:
The best thing for Karlsson's develop at this point, is to let him have one more year with Frolunda. Let him dominate the SEL, while getting bigger and stronger, taking on a larger role on the team, and maybe even working on becoming a better all around defenseman.

Keeping him with Frolunda pretty much guarantees that Karlsson will be playing, and most likely being the captain for the 2010 Sweden WJC team that will take to the ice in December. He had an outstanding tournament this year, so it's scary to think that he could do it all over again, with the chance of being even more dominant this time around, and maybe even win the Gold with Team Sweden.

The Ottawa Senators already have 8 defensemen under contract for next season; this really does not leave any room for Karlsson, especially since 2005 draft selection Brian Lee, another offensive defenseman, is still waiting for a real shot, so one would assume next year is Lee's shot. I don't feel Erik would benefit from being a 7th defenseman/PP specialist as much as he would from another year overseas.

In conclusion, I really feel Erik would truly benefit from another year in the SEL with the Indians, and another World Junior Championship. One would assume that with only 2 defensemen under contract for the 2010/11 season, this will be Karlsson's time to shine in a Senators uniform.

mayoradamwest:
Karlsson looks like he's going to be something special. It'd be nice if we could get him over for the preseason, camp and such but I'd be really hesitant to play him next year. There's no reason to rush the development of what could be the best prospect the organization has produced in years. Unfortunately, we need to have some patience with him. We could just get Mattias Karlsson to change his name to Eric to energize and confuse the fan base. Unless E. Karlsson adds serious muscle in the offseason I can't see how he'd be a better option than what we have already. Even if he is better overall (or is going to be) than most of our D corps, he doesn't need to be thrown into a team with a ton of question marks, especially considering the fan expectations that would be heaped on him by the intellectually stimulating Ottawa sports media. Give him another year, let him play out his time in Sweden, and then bring him over when he's ready to contribute immediately.If Karlsson comes over he could be a PP specialist over here but he wouldn't be able to play a full game and may find it more difficult to round out aspects of his game. If Karlsson stays and commits to his Swedish team, Frolunda, he will get the highest amount of minutes he needs to ply his trade and learn the game. Of course Ottawa's lack lustre back end seems to suggest that we should rush him over and get any help we can use back there.

There is also a third option of signing Karlsson to a contract over here getting him into some game time and then loaning him back to Frolunda if or when it doesn't work out. This has been met with some success in some other Swedish prospects in the game today as well, and is something that Karlsson is willing to entertain. I think when all is said and done I would let Karlsson play another year in Sweden. It will allow him to mature his game, keeps a good working relationship with a Swedish team that could be valuable in the future, and to me seems like the best option. We shouldn't allow our impatience to rush him into the game and possible harm his development.

sensens:
I'm not surprised most of the comments have been fairly consistent, as I don't think it's much of a debate - it makes absolutely no sense to jeopardize the development of the team's most important prospect in years. Even if he was rushed, it would be borderline delusional for the team to assume that his immediate impact would necessarily exceed what is already provided by Picard, Lee, and Campoli. If the team is in such a dire spot that this move is considered its best option, I think that would be the final indication that far more serious moves are immediately necessary.

discostu:
I think the decision on Karlsson is pretty simple and straightforward. He's obviously a very talented young defenceman, with a great head for the game. But, he is undersized, and, needs to get bigger before he should be here. Another year in the SEL seems like a no-brainer. He needs time to put on some size, and, to adapt to playing with that size. He could theoretically bulk up this summer, but, then, he'd be adapting to a new country and new league, while he's also adapting his game that goes with that added size.

Let him grow in the SEL for at least another year. He'll get the ice time opportunities there. Have Sens trainers track his progress, and see where he is a year from now.

Hossa:
Personally I am not satisfied in the least that Erik Karlsson is ready for the NHL next year, nor do I believe that at this point in time it's in his or the team's best interest to force the issue. The reasons for this are numerous, and some have been outlined by others.

For one, with several third pairing blueliners under contract heading in to camp, I do not feel desperate to play Karlsson next year. Brian Lee, Chris Campoli and Alexandre Picard are all young, looking to establish themselves, and have varying degrees of offensive upside. Moreover, they are important assets for the club, whether because they were a high draft pick (Lee) or the key component in a trade that saw a major asset go the other way (Picard and Campoli). It's important for the organization to gain a better perspective of what these players are capable of in the immediate future and whether or not they should be in the long-term plans of the club alongside Karlsson. The fact that all three are restricted free agents in the summer of 2010 only adds to the necessity of answering those questions next year. At that point Bryan Murray and company will be in a position to evaluate which, if any, of those blueliners are part of the solution, and the contracts will be structured as such. It's important to stagger contracts and receive contributions from young players in a proper manner.

I am also not entirely sure if I see a fit for somebody to play with Karlsson next year. Although I see the value in putting Karlsson with a veteran like Jason Smith, my biggest hesitation is that they are both right-handed shots. With some players that would not be a big deal, but Jason Smith's already porous puck-handling is only worse in the rare opportunity that he has to move the puck from his wrong side. The other option would be for Karlsson to play on his opposite side, but that is not ideal for a young blueliner, particularly one whose game is predicated on handling the puck and jumping in from the back-end. If we do decide that Jason Smith's hefty contract is worth retaining for another season, then I believe he should be utilized to complement Picard or Campoli, both left-handed shots with offensive ability but significant room for improvement defensively. In short, there are circumstantial reasons to hold off on putting Karlsson in to the line-up.

Even if the Senators' blueline was shaping up differently, I would not be convinced that Karlsson is ready for the NHL quite yet. It is well established that he will never be a big player, and his lower body is not built in a manner which leaves him much room for growth in the strength department. He will never be built like a fire hydrant, propelled by two tree trunks for legs, like several players below 6'0" such as Brian Rafalski or Martin St. Louis. What Karlsson will do is use his sense of timing, intelligence and awareness to play defensively, but he has not consistently been able to do so this year in the Swedish Elite League. He is far too important to this organization to rush his development and rob him of the necessary time to develop as a complete player. Playing in the SEL for another full season would allow him the opportunity to play against men and professionals, and grow to be a complete player at that level. Inevitably he will need some time to adjust at the NHL level, but that does not in any way mean his development needs to be so heavily dependent on playing against the best players in the world in Ottawa.

What I would do though is try hard to get Karlsson signed as soon as possible. Ideally I would bring him over for rookie camp and training camp, on the agreement that he will return to his club team in Sweden for the balance of the season. What this would allow the Senators is a modicum of control over his season though, because this plan only has merit if Karlsson's season in Sweden goes as planned. In order to develop in that league, he needs consistent ice time and a good situation, and with a contract signed, Ottawa would have a role to play should things go awry. On the chance that his season does not go as well as hoped, that would leave the Senators with options in terms of changing course.

This is what the Flames were able to do by sending Mikael Backlund to the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL in the middle of this year. After an impressive turn at the World Junior Championships, the Flames decided that they were not satisfied with his development in Sweden. Instead, they gave Backlund one game in the NHL and then reassigned him to a good Kelowna team for the balance of the season, where he has put up a point per game and played alongside other top prospects like Jamie Benn, Colin Long and Tyler Myers. Obviously it remains to be seen how well this works out for Backlund in the end, but the important thing for Calgary was that those first two seasons after a player is drafted are incomparably important for a player's development. Ensuring that Karlsson's season next year does not veer off track is essential, and should be the top priority at this point in time.

Roundtable #1 - Erik Karlsson in 2009-10, Part II

This part of the roundtable addresses the undecided - those who feel Karlsson's status next year is heavily dependent on his off-season training progress, on the Senators defensive depth next season, and multiple other factors such as whether Karlsson is even interested in leaving Sweden yet. The viewpoints are further outlined:

RTWAP:
There are some basic principles that seem to be shared by good organizations. Don't rush the prospect. Don't stall the prospect without ice time or opportunity. Don't let the prospect stay in a poor development environment.

It is difficult to know how these basic principles will be applied because any decisions the Senators make are going to be based on information and judgments that we're not privy to. But it might be helpful to identify some of those underlying factors.

Is Erik developing properly in the SEL? This is mainly a question about ice time, opportunity to play in the right situations, physical training, confidence building and fundamental approach to the game. If I had to guess, I'd say that Frolunda is doing fine in this regard.

Could Erik handle a jump directly this summer to the NHL? Are his skills sufficiently developed? Has his defensive game matured enough that he won't get buried as a PP specialist with little ES opportunity? Has his strength improved enough? Can he handle the transition to NA rink size and game style?

Does Erik want to come to the NHL next season? This one is hard to say. I think he's expressed a preference for playing a couple years in the SEL, but that was last fall. And he may just have been careful. It could be embarrassing if he publicly set a goal of making the NHL next season and then wasn't even invited over. Much better to state publicly that he'll stay in the SEL until he's ready and then wait for the team to ask him to come over. It's also a better mental approach. Just focus on the team he's on and the games in front of him, not the larger goal. I think that unless the Senators make a strong pitch to bring him over this summer, he will be happy to spend another season with Frolunda. Another factor is that he would probably prefer to avoid a full season in the AHL. If playing his 20th year in the SEL instead of the AHL, provides almost the same benefit and he spends most of his next season as an NHLer then there wouldn't be much benefit to spending a season on the buses with Binghamton.

Will the Senators have room? Pierre McGuire stated on the Team1200 on March 5th that the team is not done with their defense and will continue to make changes this summer. As it currently stands, there are 3 young defensemen with offensive skill in Campoli, Lee, and Picard, with Kuba providing veteran presence. Given that management has identified all of these players as bona fide NHLers, and the fact that the team has 3 defensive veteran D-men, it would be hard to imagine the team slotting Karlsson into the lineup as a #8, or even a #7 defenseman. But if the team is able to sign or acquire a true #1 then players like Smith and Volchenkov might leave to free up salary. Given a situation like that, Karlsson could find himself sharing #6/#7 duties with Alex Picard.

SensGuy:
Is it possible to withhold my decision until after the off-season? Because to me, the only thing holding Karlsson back from playing in the NHL is his size. If he's able to put on a decent amount of weight this summer, then I believe he could play at the NHL level. Would that be the best thing for his development? Who knows, but I think he has the skills and confidence to play in the NHL, but he doesn't have the size. I don't think he'll be getting any bigger playing in Sweden and against Swedish players, so if he puts on some muscle this summer, I have no issue bringing him over.

That leads to the question, do we even have room for him? Murray is going to have to get rid of some dead weight this summer, mainly in Smith, Schubert and possibly Picard, otherwise Karlsson won't get the playing time he needs.

Emo:
I'm a firm believer in putting players in a position to succeed, a position where their skills are maximized. Ottawa should give him every opportunity to excel next season in training camp. Play him in situations you want him to dominate years form now. Play him with high-level talent. If he blows you away, keep him and keep pushing him and teaching him all the while putting him in the best position to succeed.

I don't expect him to blow us away and earn a spot next year, but I think handling him how I suggested will be the most beneficial. This is the first elite-talent we've had in a while and I hope we maximize it. Put him in a real position to succeed and when he likely does not make the team, he should have a clear idea of what's expected of him and how to get there.

How he'll handle physical play at his current size is a legit concern. If we don't want him in the NHL next season due to size, do we really want him in the AHL which is rougher and more physical league than the NHL? I'd rather he not go through another season in Sweden where he's the sixth or seventh d-man, but if he's going to get primo minutes in that league, then I think it's probably the best place for him. I would hope that the Sens will tailor a plan for him to gain size; one that he can stick to while playing so far away from Ottawa.

DaveMatthew:
If he comes to the rookie and regular camps and proceeds to wow everyone ala Martin Havlat in 2000, I'd put him on the team.

I wouldn't do it simply because we have a current need in that role. No sense screwing up one of our most promising prospects in years when we have Picard, Smith and M. Karlsson all capable of filling the #6 role. Maybe they won't be as skilled, but E. Karlsson won't make or break this team next year anyways.

A further position, though endorsed by few, considers placing him in the AHL next season, primarily to address his poor strength:

Ricard_Persson:
Clay Aiken is better built than Brian Lee, and Lee takes a beating and gets bounced around this year. Lee is bigger and stronger and quite a few years older than Karlsson.

I would say that Karlsson in the NHL next year is a pipe dream. I can't see him being ready, and think a year in the AHL would do him wonders.

Senfanman88:
Erik Karlsson is in a very unique situation. There's many ways to go with him and they all have their pros and cons.

Letting him stay in the SEL could do a variety of things in itself. He could take over and be a mega-star, build his confidence and refine his skill set. A downside to this is that if he doesn't dominate, or his skill doesn't translate perfectly, his confidence could take a nose dive and the experiment could end before it started. Erik, to me, seems like the kind of guy who knows he is great and if he isn't as great as he feels (relative to NHLers or even SELers) it could be bad.

The AHL is the next idea. This gives him a shot at NHL speed and conditioning (82+ games) and would be great to develop the areas he is lacking in, such as strength and grit. The overall skill in the AHL is close to the SEL but Erik will be adjusting and the confidence factor will be buffered as he shouldn't be expecting to be great in a new league with a new style. An additional upside is the chance to play in the NHL if he's deserving or the big Sens have injuries. The downside is that he gets less money and is far from home, but he'll have to make that change sooner or later.

Straight to the NHL would be trial by fire. I'd be wary to send the Sens best prospect in years straight into the NHL like that, especially if he isn't big enough. This could be the ultimate waste if he gets beat down consistently while seeing minimal ice time. However, with smart coaching and smart utilization (PP and 3rd pairing) he could really shine at the biggest level and that would go very far.

Personally, for the team, the AHL would be best as it combines the best of the SEL and NHL opportunities. I can not blame Erik if he doesn't want to go there as he would get less money and be far from home. I really hope he comes over this summer and trains with guys like Fisher, Bass and/or Neil (if he is here) and bulks up like Zubov did. I hope that in doing this, he'd grow to crave Ottawa and accept the AHL due to the chance to get called up and make his mark.

That being said, a guy like Erik, with his natural talent and strong mental game will succeed regardless, if he wants it. When and how he will succeed depends on how he is handled next season but long term it shouldn't be the deciding factor of his NHL success.

Roundtable #1 - Erik Karlsson in 2009-10, Part III

A final argument regarding Erik Karlsson is mostly made by Devil's advocates. Most do not believe Karlsson should be rushed into the NHL, but here are the arguments presented in favour of such a development:

Gord Langton:
With the state of the D can we afford to not have Karlsson here next year?

Yeah, he's a little undersized but his game is NHL caliber. He's a better passer than any of our current players and unless Murray manages to hit a home run with a UFA, we're going to need somebody like Karlsson to intelligently run the powerplay.
Kuba is alright, but his routine is pretty predictable. If you ever want to try a drinking game on the Sens PP then take a shot every time Kuba does the return pass maneuver. (Please don't actually try this if you want to make it through a 60 minute game. It'd be like trying to drink to swearing in Deadwood.)

Picard seems every bit the 7th dman and though he should get better in the offseason (should being the main word there) he's not the solution on the powerplay, or the breakout and let's be honest with outselves; if he was a star we would get so sick of the Jean-Luc jokes that we'd boo him out of town fast. Actually it's Ottawa, they might like the fact they get the joke. Hmm.... I'll leave that one up to the philosophers.

Campoli looks like he's going to to be a decent player for us, but he's a future number 3 guy at best. Unless he improves a massive amount over the summer, I could still see Karlsson being the better player.

Bell.... I'm just kidding.

Other than that with Jason Smith, Phillips and A-train our D isn't exactly fear inducing. A lot of teams left out points open this season because they knew they couldn't do anything with it but shoot it into some pads, high and wide, or pass it around the perimeter. We have nobody in the system who can make teams respect our D offensively the way Karlsson should be able to.

This is the "new" NHL remember. Look around the league at the players that are cracking lineups and making a major impact. With the clutching and grabbing gone and an emphasis on skill, young players can thrive right off the bat. Sure some struggles are to be expected, but with a guy this talented how can you not put him in the lineup? It's Murray's job to ice the best roster possible and if he's going to leave the best player off the roster well then I'm afraid he's simply missing the boat.

Doughty in LA showed that a young defender can step in and in my opinon Karlsson is already better than him. Pair E-Karl up with Volchenkov or Smith so they can deliver some pain if anybody takes liberties on him.

Yeah, Karlsson is going to be a bit small still but if he works hard this offseason there is nothing stopping him from making major steps forward in his game. Watching him in the World Jr's, he certainly didn't shy away from contact and even had a bit of a nasty streak. With some muscle backing him up what's preventing him from playing in the NHL? He's got the skills, the attitude, and a name that makes you think of the Simpsons. Hopefully Murray will draft a Leonard as his partner this year.

The UFA crop is weak, we don't have anyone else to do it... Karlsson simply has to be an option if he performs well in camp. He said he wanted to play 2 more years in the SEL at the draft but I would bet dollars to doughnuts that if it came down to it.... If Karlsson had a slot on this team shown to him by Murray and a contract on the table, I'd think the bigger stage and the bigger dollars might change his mind quickly. Besides, he was probably just trying to be cautious. He seems like a competitive SOB and why wouldn't he want to play at the highest level? If he has the ability and I think he does, it would be a disservice to Sens fans everywhere to let this guy rot in Sweden. He's a cost effective, talented solution. Guys like him are the key to success as we've seen this year what not having enough talent coming up can do.

I.M. Fletcher:
One reason I think it would be positive to bring him over for next year is if we are paying Smith 2.6mil for leadership, it would seem that would only make sense if he was truly being utilized. Sure he has Picard and Lee to be building into now, but for someone like Karlsson whose game is predicated on confidence, you want to do everything in your power to make sure you have strong leadership guiding that confidence towards the team opposed to himself.

I am not going to begin to assume to know what Karlsson needs, but for someone so confident at such a young age, almost similar to Spezza, I would like to insulate him as much as possible so his decision making is guided through his first few year. Similarly to how Redden had Pitlick as his partner, and we got to see the development of Redden and it actually got alot more out of ol' Lance.

Just a thought. I know there are many reasons to want to protect him from a negative experience, but a year from now, he could be learning defense from Phillips Lee Picard and Campoli. Not thats a negative group, but outside of Phillips, I dont know if young guys can provide the amount of accountability that an older player can.

Maybe I am just trying to justify having Smith being paid so much for another year. If he is helping in proper development of Lee Picard and Karlsson, I think long term his 2 awful contract years would be more than worth it.

Counterpoint to I.M. Fletcher by sensens:
I do agree that having Smith paired with Karlsson would be the way to introduce him to the NHL, but he's still 18 at this point (19 by training camp) and with limited experience in even the SEL I still wonder to what extent that would really be a positive move. Not to mention that it would be difficult enough of a transition to make without simultaneously putting the weight on him to be the team's best offensive defenceman, as some have suggested would make a case for bringing him over. And if he were paired with Smith, that would mean 3rd line minutes, which isn't exactly condusive to fulfilling a role as the team's top puck mover.

And this is really my criticism - it's one thing if Karlsson had blown away the SEL, came over at camp and impressed, and was a bonus to next year's roster - but to depend on that for the success of your season is pretty poor management. And what this team would need to improve on a scenario of Phillips, Volchenkov, Kuba, Campoli, Smith, Lee, and Picard, is not a 19yo prospect who finished tied for 6th on his team in defenceman scoring. Even a relatively successful year for Karlsson as a 19yo would be considered a failure by that requirement, which is patently unfair to him as a developing prospect.

For my money, that defence is just fine - particularly because the team is poised to take advantage of inexpensive contracts for all of Campoli, Lee, and Picard - precisely the players that Karlsson would be able to compensate for in a year or two when they are no longer as easily retainable. The far more pressing concern for me is the secondary scoring up front, which is now as depleted as it's ever been. Even if Comrie re-signed at $3M/yr, the team would be pushed almost to the cap limit to just achieve that, which I would argue is a recipe for another underwhelming season. I suppose you could argue that rushing Karlsson could make one of those defencemen expendable and used as currency to find an inexpensive young forward to flank the offense, but I just think that Karlsson potentially represents a substantial part of the team's future. Playing games with his development is just not the way I would go.

Scouting Report: Brian Lee

by Evan Rawal.


From the second Brian Lee was drafted, people have questioned his selection. Taken 9th overall in 2005, with the Sens earliest draft pick in 4 years, Lee was an unknown to many in Ottawa at the time. Not only did he have the pressure of being selected before Canadian junior stars Marc Staal and Luc Bourdon, but he had to watch then GM John Muckler declare that he better be ready for the NHL in two years. Anyone that looked at Lee when he was drafted probably considered him crazy.





Lee's draft year put him on the map. While he was a high school hockey star in Minnesota, very few knew about him. That was, until Team USA surprised everyone and selected the tall and lanky Lee to their World Junior team, ahead of the highly touted Jack Johnson. Although Lee rarely saw ice time during the tournament, it put him on the map, and afterwards, went back to the Minnesota high school league and was named Mr. Hockey as the top senior high school hockey player in the state. Over the course of his draft year, he also played 12 games in the USHL, putting up just 3 assists, but adding 5 points in 4 playoff games.

Lee's post-draft development has not been ideal for a top 10 selection, but the strides are there. The most noticeable flaw from just looking at Lee when he was drafted was his lack of strength. While listed at 6'2"/6'3", Lee weighed in the 170's when he was drafted, and looked even smaller. 4 years after being selected, he now sits at 203 pounds, and while he is getting stronger, it will be a few more years before we see the finished product with Lee.

The University of North Dakota was Brian Lee's destination after being drafted. While Lee was labeled as an offensive defenseman from the moment he was drafted, his all-around game developed probably a bit faster than people expected, and remains the underrated part in his game. Even as a freshman, Lee was playing big time minutes in all situations, including 1st unit penalty kill time. While his offensive numbers his first year weren't staggering, for a freshman campaign, it was considered a great success. It was his sophomore year of college that put some doubt in the minds of many Sens fans, who were skeptical to begin with. His offensive numbers didn't progress as much as many had hoped, and his all-around game appeared to have taken a hit. Both of these years, he played for Team USA in the World Junior Championships, but while his role was bigger than the first time, he was still stuck behind the far more hyped Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson and didn't get a ton of ice time.

It was the summer after his sophomore campaign when he surprised many and signed a professional contract with Ottawa. Would John Muckler's forecast of Lee being ready in two years actually come true?

Well, it didn't, but it did come as a pleasant surprise to Sens fans that Lee was eager to accelerate his development. While he went into training camp with very slim chances of actually making the team, he did impress and show the skills, and was sent to AHL affiliate Binghamton to start the year. Perhaps benefitting Lee the most in the AHL was playing with veteran Lawrence Nycholat, and Lee flourished his first year down there, being named to the AHL All-Star team and registering 25 points in 55 games and playing in every situation.

When an ankle injury sidelined Lee for over a month in February, many figured his chance to make a jump to Ottawa very small. However, after playing only 1 AHL game after missing a month plus of hockey, Lee got the call when Wade Redden was injured. Lee didn't waste any time impressing the brass. His first game was stellar, displaying perfect one on one defensive ability, an ability to jump into the rush, and even playing a little goalie by saving a sure goal. The next day, Murray declared Lee an NHL'er, and he finished the year off in Ottawa, playing 6 regular season games and 4 playoff games while racking up 1 assist.

Lee came into this season with high expectations, but with new coach Craig Hartsburg unwilling to give him a lot of chances, or let him play with the partner he excelled with at the end of the previous year (Chris Phillips), Lee struggled, and was sent down abruptly after only 5 games. He went to Binghamton, and if you listen to their fans, didn't exactly look good. Many wondered if he would get another chance this season, but when injuries to Filip Kuba and Anton Volchenkov hit the Sens, Lee was recalled, and given a bigger role. He excelled. Playing 20+ minutes a night, often leading the team in ice time, Lee looked far more confident and was initiating instead of reacting. Because of this, he looks to have carved himself a full-time NHL gig. While he's currently in the AHL, it doesn't appear to be long-term, as it was done to clear roster space and Lee was just a casualty because of his two-way contract. Expect to see Lee called up post-trade deadline and play big minutes for the Sens, with perhaps a playoff run with Binghamton at the end of the year for experience.

Following his selection in 2005, John Muckler claimed that the Sens had Lee rated as the 5th best player in the draft. He doesn't have skills that jump out at you, but you can see why he was so highly thought of by the Sens. His hockey sense is through the roof, and is perhaps his greatest attribute. He reads the play well, he understands what to do with and without the puck, and is just an incredibly intelligent player in general. For a big guy at 6'3", Lee is a terrific skater, perhaps the best skating defenseman the Sens currently have (although he doesn't have much competition). He's a real good puck mover, and is starting to skate more with the puck, which will only help make him more dangerous. On the other hand, he still has his flaws, the most obvious being his lack of strength. He still gets outmuscled in the corners, which isn't surprising at his age, but it will continue to improve. His lack of strength also limits his offensive game, as his shot is below average, at best. He'll need to continue to fill out in order to reach his full potential.

The future looks bright for Lee. At only 21, he's already shown he can play 20+ minutes a night in the NHL, and he will only continue to get better. He looks like a sure bet to be a top 4 blueliner in this league, but the question is, what is his top end potential? I personally believe he can be a top pairing guy. Probably not a #1 defenseman, but he has all the makings of a good #2. He's got the size, he's got the skating ability, he can move the puck, he can jump into the play, and he can play in any situation. If he fills out even more, you've added yet another element to his game.

Nearly 4 years after his draft, Sens fans have good reason to be excited about the 9th pick in the 2005 draft.

Scouting Report: Brian Elliott

by Peter Drake (with contributions from Amanda Murray)

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 30GP 18W 2.31GAA 0.926sv% 2SO
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 17GP 7W 2.84GAA 0.905sv%

Following a terrific first half of the season with the Ottawa Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton, Brian Elliott was recalled to the NHL in mid-January in attempt to kick-start a struggling hockey team. While Senators General Manager Bryan Murray alluded to plans for such a mid-season call-up on multiple occasions since the off-season, it was the young netminder's strong AHL play which made such a call up inevitable. Elliott won December Player of the Month honours, placed among the AHL's best goaltenders in every statistical category, and even earned a starting slot on the AHL All-Star team. Seventeen games into Brian Elliott's first extended stretch at the NHL level, it seems a reasonable time to evaluate his play up to this point, which has so far been a mixed blessing.

As with many good prospects, he excelled at the start and was the team's best player on some nights. He quickly gained the confidence and respect of his teammates. This was especially noticeable during new coach Cory Clouston's transition to an aggressive game, as there were more than a few instances where mistakes by forwards and defensemen lead to scoring chances that Elliott handled calmly and proficiently. While the Senators recent stretch of comparatively competent play has been most often attributed to Clouston's influence, the boost is similarly attributable to the arrival of Elliott.

Through this stretch his mental game and technical skills seemed up to the challenge. He has proven himself to be a mature, confident player who welcomes a challenge. He shows intense motivation and demands perfection of his own performance, and even after poor outings he relishes the opportunity to get back in the net. Primarily, he knows his weaknesses and works tirelessly to improve upon them. Prominent areas for improvement are rebound control, consistency, and anticipation, but the latter comes with learning the shooters at the NHL level. Given Elliott's reputation for focus and preparation, both of those issues should see improvement over time.

More recently, Elliott has given up a significant number of goals early in games, to the point where he has been replaced by the coach three times, in outings against Washington, Minnesota and Montreal. Although each goal in isolation has appeared to be justifiable, and mostly due to poor team play in front of him, the coach has challenged Elliott to keep his team in the game as they weather some rough early patches. The technical faults, if any, have been minor. A slight hesitancy here or there, failure to challenge a shooter as much as he could, losing a shooter in traffic, perhaps a failure to anticipate a shot.

If there has been a moderate drop in performance it is hard to assign it to any one cause. Could it be fatigue near the end of a long season with lots of difficult AHL travel, topped off by a Senators road trip that was brutal by NHL standards? Could it be a loss of mental focus now that the initial rush of games is past? Or is it primarily attributable to poor team play in front of him?

If Elliott had to be graded on his NHL performance so far this season, he would earn a solid B. He demonstrated poise and talent, and a few rough edges. How Elliott addresses those areas for improvement will be critical to his next year or two with the Senators. At this point Elliott has demonstrated enough to pencil him in as an NHL backup, with NHL starter upside. Just exactly how high that upside goes is unknown, but the Senators would probably count themselves lucky if they could get proficient, reliable goaltending of a 10th-15th ranked goalie, considering Elliott was drafted 291st out of 292 in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Most people agree that Elliott is the most promising goaltending prospect ever drafted by the Ottawa Senators, but on a list that includes Ray Emery and not much else, this isn't much of a flattering consideration. Still, he has excelled at the NCAA and AHL level despite odds against him, and while his starts in both leagues were slow, he graduated both ranks as a star at each level. His NHL development has been on track with educated expectations.

Looking ahead, the Senators have a few decisions to make. Do they keep Elliott up with the NHL club and see how he works through the challenge immediately in front of him, or do they send him back to Binghamton in hopes of a long and successful AHL playoff run?

The Senators also need to sign Elliott to a new contract over the summer. He will be a Restricted Free Agent, without arbitration rights, which means he could be the target of an offer sheet from another team. That gives the Senators an incentive to sign him relatively quickly. Elliott might reasonably expect to sign a one or two year deal in the range of $900,000 to $1.3 million. Based on the scarcity of significant or desirable goalie upgrades this summer, the Senators may decide to start next season with a tandem of Alex Auld and Elliott, a situation that provides an interesting mix of challenge and opportunity for both goaltenders.

The key point is that Elliott's future is entirely in his hands. The Senators would love nothing more than to see him step up and take the reigns of an organization in dire need of a consistent force between the pipes, and will give him every opportunity to succeed. If Elliott shows the determination and commitment to betterment espoused by his play at other levels, he will be a valuable asset to the Ottawa Senators franchise.

Top 20 Senators Prospects (Mid-season Ranking)

by Sean Keogh (with additional content as noted)
All statistics as of February 9th, 2009.
All height/weight data courtesy of hockeydb.

1. Erik Karlsson

Senators Player Page
Frölunda Indians Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Defense - Landsbro, Sweden - 5'11", 165 lbs - DOB 1990
Drafted 1st round, 15th overall 2008

2008-09 Frolunda SEL 37GP 2G 4A 6P 10PIM

Karlsson is the top Senators prospect because he is the only player on this list who is anywhere near a stud. Although consistent success in the Swedish Elite League has eluded him, in the past 9 months Karlsson has been the top defenseman at both the U18s and U20s, which is no small feat. His overall offensive skills are outstanding. Although not a burner, he is a good all-round skater; his passing is perhaps the best in the organization already; and he has a great shot including a promising one-timer. Despite needing more time to mature physically, he could probably quarterback an NHL powerplay very soon, if not now. Lower body strength is a major weakness for now, and he does not have a build that suggests it will ever be an asset, but at almost 6’0” now his height is not a huge drawback. What he lacks in strength he makes up for in outstanding hockey sense, including great timing and body control that allows him to play physical hockey and even throw open ice hits. The only other aspect of Karlsson’s game that needs work is simplification. Whether it’s breaking out of his zone or walking the line on the powerplay, Karlsson needs to find a better balance between creativity and safety. With his hockey sense and natural gifts though, that should come with time so long as he remains coachable and his moxie does not turn into stubbornness.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (1) Has the ability to be a tremendous PP QB. I don't know if he'll ever be a top flight overall defenseman, but I'm very happy the Sens went with pure talent on this one. Unlike others, I wouldn't mind seeing him come to North America, even if it's a sheltered role in the NHL, because the biggest thing holding him back is his strength, which won't improve a lot in Sweden. Good comparison might be Brian Campbell.
Zamboner: (1) Top-paring D-man and PP QB - Great vision and poise with the puck. Elite passing and shot. Can take too many risks, and needs to be better when defending. Also needs to bulk up considerably. Will probably spend one more year with Frolunda in the SEL, where he will hopefully get more ice-time. Expect to see Karlsson in Ottawa in 2010-2011, unless they convince him to play in the AHL or he blows us away next training camp.
armani: (1)
Indrew: (1) Projects to be comparable to Ozolinsh in the 90's
Krazy Tea: (1) Has proven he can dominate at the junior level on the world stage, needs to take the next step and prove that he can play with men. Still a couple years away from being able to be a solid contributor at the NHL level IMO, hurrying him to the NHL based on need would be detrimental to his development. Has the ability to be a #2 top pairing offensive contributor and should lock in as second pairing PP offensive stud at worst. Despite his size he eats up a ton of minutes on the PP/PK and even strength.
Theo Huxtable: (1) Karlsson was very impressive at the World Juniors for Sweden, having been selected as the best defenseman in the tournament. Karlsson is a very offensive-minded d-man - very adept at the first pass out of the zone and joining the rush. He has a hard and fairly accurate shot, and runs a power play with ease. Karlsson obviously has to bulk up to be able to graduate to the NHL level - he must also improve his awareness in his own end. Karlsson seemed to get beat to the outside fairly often during the WJC's. I fear that because of the Sens' lack of offensive defensemen, he may be rushed to the NHL next season.
moz: (1) The others have said it all, I will only add that he shows extreme self-assurance and is more than comfortable in the spotlight. He is lucid and eloquent in conversation with the media and shows a mature understanding of the game that belies his age. While he clearly needs physical development to compliment his tremendous skill, there is no question that his high hockey IQ and maturity will play an integral role in fashioning him into a dependable star player and leader not unlike his fellow countryman Daniel Alfredsson.

2. Brian Lee

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Defense - Moorhead, MN - 6'3", 203 lbs - DOB 1987
Drafted 1st round, 9th overall 2005

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 22GP 1G 7A 8P 28PIM
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 27GP 1G 5A 6P 8PIM

Few prospects in Senators history have been as much maligned as Lee. The pale and soft-spoken blueliner has had an up and down career since the club used the 9th overall pick on him in 2005. Inconsistency plagued him at the University of North Dakota, and his early season struggles this year were cause for concern. Of late he is back on track and is hopefully in the NHL to stay. Lee has some things in common with Karlsson, in that he has good hockey sense and some nice offensive abilities. Although nowhere near as flashy or dynamic as Karlsson, Lee has good all-round mobility and moves the puck very effectively. His shot has improved, as has his strength, although he neither looks nor plays like a 6’3” NHL blueliner. There is some disagreement on his ceiling, as it is not as high as Karlsson’s, but he has all the tools to at least be a reliable top four rearguard, and soon.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (2) Obviously I'm higher on him than others, but he can be a really good overall defender once he fills out completely. While he may not be great at anything, he's really good at most, and his hockey sense is through the roof. He's still a project, and we won't be seeing a finished product for at least a few more years. A good comparison might be Teppo Numminen, as I have a feeling he'll never get the respect he deserves.
Zamboner: (NR) Deemed to have graduated from prospect rank.
armani: (2)
Indrew: (2) Projects to be comparable to Redden
Krazy Tea: (2) Up and down year hurt his rankings, has showed flashes of brilliance but needs to show it with some consistency. I don't really believe he can be an elite top pairing guy, but again a decent 3/4 stud. He will eat up a ton of minutes, not sure if he can translate his offensive game to the NHL as well. But he is playing a more consistent defensive game since his second call up and there is still room for development at his age.
Theo Huxtable: (2) I think Lee will turn out to be a solid NHL defenseman, but not spectacular. He'll probably max out as a 3/4 d-man at the NHL level. He skates well, is a very good passer, plays the game intelligently, but has two glaring weaknesses - his shot is well below average (perhaps even poor), and he doesn't play a very physical brand of hockey. I think Lee will turn out to be a solid but unspectacular pro.
moz: (2) The mention of Wade Redden leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many Senators fans, and any favourable comparison to him is tainted by Redden's poor final years in Ottawa. But Lee projects as the Redden who provided a decade of solid, well-rounded if not astronomical play. Perhaps another fair comparison would be a slightly more involved Filip Kuba, only with a physical edge. He can quietly play in all situations and shock you when he leads the team in ice time. Lee isn't flashy and has no outstanding attributes, but he will be a perfect compliment to Karlsson. In his brief time in the NHL, he has shown himself capable of shutting down skilled players, while it will take some more physical maturing to contain grinders or power forwards.

3. Brian Elliott

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Goaltender - Newmarket, ON - 6'2", 198 lbs - DOB 1985
Drafted 9th round, 291st overall 2003

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 30GP 18W 2.31GAA 0.926sv% 2SO
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 11GP 5W 2.47GAA 0.912sv%

If Lee’s upside is a bit hard to peg, it would be foolish to concretely do the same for this overachiever. Elliott’s story is already well established, going from the 291st selection in 2003 to goalie of the future in Ottawa, and the more success he has at the NHL level, the closer to folk tale it will become. A big, intelligent and hard-working goaltender with an exemplary mental make-up, Elliott has conquered every challenge he has faced so far, rising to the top of the ranks in both the NCAA and AHL. Although he is not an elite athlete and needs to work on his rebound control and consistency, he has not stopped improving since being drafted, so predicting what kind of NHL career he will have is at present hard to do.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (3) Self made, and I see him becoming a real solid #1 goaltender in this league. He made it this far on hard work, and will continue to stick because of that. Big, athletic, and willing to tweak his game to compete at any level. Has the mental game that you crave in a goaltender, and even in his short NHL stint, has shown an ability to make big saves for his team. Comparable to Ryan Miller.
Zamboner: (2) Starting goaltender - Impeccable work ethic and attitude. Is a student of the game, and therefore technically great. Could work on lateral movement and rebounds. With the Sens' lack of anything at the goalie position, he's likely an NHLer from here on out.
armani: (3)
Indrew: (3) Projects to be comparable to fellow U of W alum Mike Richter... maybe
Krazy Tea: (3) Not really sure yet what kind of goaltender he can be at the NHL, if he develops as he has previously through the NCAA and AHL then he could be a quality starter in the NHL.
Theo Huxtable: (3)
moz: (3) The others have said it all. A trifecta of necessities for goaltending excellence - technical and athletic abilities, a high level of competitiveness and a commitment to betterment. He has excelled at every level of competition despite fierce odds and low expectations. While it is unfair to bill him the future of the franchise, the Senators will give him every opportunity to fulfill just that role.

4. Ilya Zubov

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Chelyabinsk, Russia - 6'0", 201 lbs - DOB 1987
Drafted 4th round, 98th overall 2005

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 36GP 12G 25A 37P 18PIM
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 10GP 0G 2A 2P 0PIM

Few organizations would say that a former fourth round pick is not only their best forward prospect but in terms of upside arguably the best to come along in half a decade. Zubov is however a legitimate scoring line prospect on a team that has failed to produce one in too long. The Russian’s second AHL season has been his breakout, resulting in multiple call-ups to Ottawa. An all-round offensive winger with good skating ability, it is improved off-ice dedication and on-ice all-round play that has cemented his status as a key prospect for Ottawa.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (4) Perhaps the most talented forward prospect the Senators have had in years. Needs to be more assertive next time he comes up to the NHL, but has the talent and looks committed to staying in North America. Another off-season in Ottawa and he should get a good look next year, if not later this season. A good comparison might be Slava Kozlov.
Zamboner: (3) Top 6 forward - Great offensive awareness, stick-handling, and skating. Plays well defensively, and doesn't shy away from contact. Could probably further improve his conditioning, and be more assertive. Will likely be pushing for a full-time spot on the big club in 2009-2010.
armani: (5)
Indrew: (6) Projects to be comparable to Dvorak
Krazy Tea: (5) Putting up good numbers in the AHL after an off-season dedicated to conditioning. Has not carried his play into Ottawa yet could work on the defensive aspects of the game. Hopefully Clouston can get this Russian to bring it at the NHL level and round out his game. Top 6 all offense.
Theo Huxtable: (6) I think Zubov will either become a 2nd line offensive forward at the NHL level, or not make it to the NHL on a regular basis. Zubov has good speed, good offensive instincts, but lacks size. His AHL numbers are impressive this season - over a point-per-game pace - however, I wasn't overly impressed with his play for the Sens this season. He certainly didn't produce much at the NHL level (2 assists in 10 games), and he looked out of place at times in the defensive zone, unsure of what his assignment was. That being said, if he continues to work hard at the AHL level, hopefully he will be able to become a top 6 forward - the type of player the Sens need desperately to add to their NHL lineup.
moz: (5) He is progressing well and making significant improvements every year. He is a skilled player who can have an impact as a secondary player in the league. While his NHL future is not assured, if he continues along his current path he has a good chance. As others have noted he looked a little tentative in his time in Ottawa, but his skill and hockey sense were apparent on the rush and with a cycle. He doesn't of yet have the defensive ability or imposing physical style to have much of an impact outside the second line, so his offense will need to carry through at the NHL level or he may not find a role.

5. Peter Regin

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Herning, Denmark - 6'2", 198 lbs - DOB 1986
Drafted 3rd round, 87th overall 2004

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 36GP 9G 14A 23P 26PIM
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 6GP 1G 0A 1P 0PIM

The Senators have taken players from several unconventional hockey backgrounds. Although Regin was born and raised in Denmark, it was his three years with Timra IK in the Swedish Elite League that made him the prospect he is today. When he was drafted out of Denmark, Regin was so raw he was still using a stick so short it only went up to his belly button. His hockey sense and offensive skills were always there, but the rest of his game has really developed well. His skating is much better, he plays a mature and aware game in all three zones, and he is a potential second line center who has the utility and maturity to stick as a third liner otherwise.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (5) His intelligence stands out. He's solid offensively, but tremendous defensively for someone in their first year in North America. Once he bulks up, could become a decent 2nd line player, but great 3rd line guy. A more talented Chris Kelly seems like a decent comparison.
Zamboner: (4) Top 6 forward - Great awareness in both zones, and elite skating and stickhandling. Like Zubov, he plays in traffic. More of a playmaker than sniper. His height and lankiness give him room to bulk up considerably. Will likely be in the NHL full-time before the end of this year.
armani: (4)
Indrew: (4) Projects to be comparable to Ylonen
Krazy Tea: (4) Has looked like the best call-up from Bingo this year, playing a solid game in Bingo led the team in +/-. Excellent prospect at either end of the ice, plenty of dangles, great stick skills. Has translated his game to the NHL quite well, amazing back checker. Looks like a third liner with some offense maybe a top 6 guy with the right combinations.
Theo Huxtable: (5) I ranked Regin ahead of Zubov because I liked what I saw from Regin at the NHL level - he appears to be a more complete player then Zubov. Regin showed very well in his six games in the NHL - he is clearly a very smart player with an above average hockey IQ. Regin showed that he is not afraid to go into the corners and the dirty zones on the ice - he is clever with the puck along the boards and makes very good passes. I think Regin could improve his skating a bit, but looks to be a surefire NHL 3rd liner going forward.
moz: (4) He has rocketed up my rankings since seeing him in the NHL. He is incredibly poised, and patient. He seems to read the ice extremely well which makes him valuable at both ends of the ice. He has great skill but it is his anticipation and playmaking which make him so valuable - I too would rank him ahead of Zubov at this point. It seems the time in the SEL has done him a world of good, he plays like a player 5 years more experienced. A top-6 NHL future is absolutely within his grasp, perhaps as early as next year. I don't know that his point ceiling is especially high but I have a feeling he will contribute every night in some manner.

6. Patrick Wiercioch

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Defense - Burnaby, BC - 6'3", 178 lbs - DOB 1990
Drafted 2nd round, 42nd overall 2008

2008-09 University of Denver NCAA 25GP 10G 13A 23P 18PIM

If the old adage that the year after being drafted is the most important in a prospect’s development is true in the least, this 2008 second rounder could not be progressing better. At this time a year ago Wiercioch was 6’2” and playing average hockey in the USHL. Now he is almost 6’5” and perhaps the top freshman in the NCAA, producing at a rate very rarely seen by an 18 year old blueliner. Offensively gifted and still very raw, Wiercioch has impressive offensive awareness and instincts. With another year or two at the University of Denver, he should be able to grow into his body and in turn improve his strength, skating and physical play.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (6) What he's doing is pretty amazing, but he's still pretty raw. Great offensive instincts, and the body and reach to be great defensively as well. While his potential is tough to pin down, the sky appears to be the limit for him.
Zamboner: (5) Top 4 D-man - Great outlet pass and knows how to advance a play and run the PP. Great shot and decent skating. Not bad defensively, which is a huge plus for an offensive D-man. Still growing, and will need to put a lot of weight on his frame. This could affect his skating, so he should probably continue working on it. Wiercioch will play at least one more year with DU, and will look to make the Canadian WJC squad in December 2009.
armani: (6)
Indrew: (5) Projects to be comparable to Mara, before the offense was lost
Krazy Tea: (6) Putting up huge numbers at Denver thus far, have to be careful and not get too excited though. Matt Carle put up similar if not better numbers during his stay at Denver. He has not panned out just yet in the NHL being trade bait more often then not, and is now playing in Philadelphia. That said Wiercioch has apparently shown a ton of talent, I won't talk about a prospect I haven't seen though. I'll leave his evaluation to SensGuy, but he should be a PP QB in Ottawa within 3-4 years.
Theo Huxtable: (4) I seem to be a bit higher on Wiercioch then some other contributors - for an 18 year-old freshman d-man to be producing at such a high rate in the NCAA, it would appear his ceiling is quite high and deserves a top 5 ranking at this time.

7. Jim O’Brien

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Maplewood, MN - 6'2", 200 lbs - DOB 1989
Drafted 1st round, 29th overall 2007

2008-09 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 47GP 18G 26A 44P 39PIM

O’Brien is reminiscent of current Senators Antoine Vermette and Mike Fisher in that he is less than the sum of his parts. O’Brien has great size, strength and skating ability, but lacks the offensive awareness and creativity to project as a scoring line player. There is little reason to doubt he will play at the NHL level, but his upside appears lower than the players above him. He might be better served as a power winger considering his limitations.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (7) When he heads to Bingo next year, we'll get a better read on his offensive skills, but it doesn't look that great right now. Could be another Mike Fisher, which is hardly a bad thing, but with the Sens lack of talented forwards, would be lovely if he developed more of an offensive game.
Zamboner: (6) Great 3rd line winger - Big body that skates effortlessly. A decent passer that works his heart out every shift. He doesn't appear to have the offensive IQ the club hoped he'd develop, and this will likely limit him to the 3rd line. O'Brien will join Bingo next year, and may even push for a spot on the big club.
armani: (7)
Indrew: (7) Projects to be comparable to Fisher
Krazy Tea: (7) Was very hopeful for this prospect after he was drafted but hasn't shown very much to be excited about since. Doesn't seem like a huge offensive contributor, great shutdown guy. Once he gets to the AHL it will be easier to see what kind of player he really is. 3rd line checking forward.
Theo Huxtable: (7)
moz: (6) Definitely projects as a safe third line forward who might be able to chip in a bit of offense. While he has shown some decent offensive production in Seattle, I think his play in Minnesota is more reflective of what he could realistically contribute to an NHL franchise. Probably not worthy of his draft position, but his size, skating ability and work ethic should make him a decent contributor.

8. Zack Smith

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Medicine Hat, AB - 6'2", 202 lbs - DOB 1988
Drafted 3rd round, 79th overall 2008

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 50GP 13G 17A 30P 83PIM
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NCAA 1GP 0G 0A 0P 0PIM

A classic late bloomer, Smith was passed over twice and now looks like a steal from last year’s third round. A late growth spurt and hard work largely account for the fact he now looks like a future NHL third liner instead of an overage WHLer and CIS-bound player. Although he likely lacks the skating and pure skill to be a scoring line player, Smith is a tough and gritty player with the nose for the net, who like O’Brien also might be better served on the wing.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (9) Seemed to benefit from playing in Binghamton with two highly skilled guys in Zubov and Shannon, but that's not a bad thing. Perhaps that shows he can be a good complementary guy on a skilled line. Probably needs more time in the AHL to fill out and refine his game.
Zamboner: (10) Great character and work ethic. He combines physical play with a scoring touch. His skating could also use some work.
armani: (10)
Indrew: (10) Projects to be comparable to Moss
Krazy Tea: (9) Playing pretty well in Bingo, will hopefully end with a 70 point season. Big character kid although it routinely seems he gets his ass kicked by the enforcers in the AHL, probably will change as he gets a little bigger. It seems he has this odd fighting style (at least to me) where he kind of dodges the punches for awhile, its pretty strange anyways. Plays hard every day and hopefully that will get him into Ottawa as a 3rd/4th line checker with the ability to score.
Theo Huxtable: (9) Smith is a good player with good size, decent hands and a nose for the net. Will stand up for his teammates and drop the gloves when needed. He really needs to work on his skating. From what I've seen, Smith will max out as a 3rd line two-way forward at the NHL level and play a physical style of game.
moz: (8) Echoing the others, he seems like a hard worker who has a good combination of abilities, offensive, defensive and physical. While I doubt his offensive knack will translate too much to the NHL, it is reassuring that he at least prospers when playing with skilled players, as opposed to other grinders who can look lost or a step behind. He can play on any of the bottom three lines and seems a pretty versatile young player. An NHL future is entirely within reach if he keeps up the work.

9. Mattias Karlsson

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Defense - Orebro, Sweden - 6'2", 220 lbs - DOB 1985
Drafted 4th round, 135th overall, 2003

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 45GP 4G 25A 29P 28PIM

After being all but written off because of his inability to find a regular job in the Swedish Elite League for so long, Karlsson has broken out in a big way at the AHL this year. An all-star as a rookie, Karlsson is intriguing for his package of great size and legitimate offensive abilities. A lack of skating ability and overall decision-making could use work though, but he is no longer a forgotten prospect.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (10) For a big guy, he could stand to be a lot more physical, but that's not his game. Smooth offensively, and solid defensively. It appears his skating will be what holds him back.
Zamboner: (8) 5-6 D-man - Smart player in both zones. Is not the best skater, but has exceptional positioning and marking in his own end and advances the play with great passes. Is a big, big guy. The anti-Schubert may be able to steal the Schubert/Bell spot next year.
armani: (8)
Indrew: (8) Projects to be comparable to Kalinin
Krazy Tea: (11) Playing well in Bingo, can he bring his skating level up and play in the NHL? I don't think so.
Theo Huxtable: (10)
moz: (10) He's flown under the radar for quite a few years, but has arisen with a vengeance this season, taking advantage of the holes left in Binghamton's blueline with the recall of Bell and Lee. I think he could play on the Senators blueline this season and not cost them. The skating issue is a concern since the Senators defense might be the slowest, ploddingest blueline in the league, but if he can make up for it in other areas he might have an NHL future yet. It is important to remember that he is still young at 23 and plenty of improvement is possible.

10. Louie Caporusso

Senators Player Page
HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Toronto, ON - 5'10", 185 lbs - DOB 1989
Drafted 3rd round, 90th overall 2007

2008-09 University of Michigan NCAA 30GP 22G 11A 33P 24PIM

Caporusso is the best of a group of mid-round offensive prospects in the club’s prospect pool. As a sophomore at the University of Michigan, he has been maybe the best goal scorer in all of the NCAA this year. Somewhat undersized and an underwhelming skater for a player his size, Caporusso has drawn comparisons to Mike Comrie, Mike Cammalleri and Nigel Dawes for being a small player who scores without being a speedy. Hard work on strength and power skating is a must for any player in this mold.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (8) Pure goal scorer. I'm not sure he'll make it at the NHL level, but there's certainly hope for him. If anything will hold him back, it will be his skating.
Zamboner: (7) Top 6 winger or BUST - Excellent offensive IQ, shot, and hands. A fiesty and pesky forechecker, who is way too small to carry over this trait to the big leagues. His offensive skill (20 goals in 28 games as a sophomore at UM) will either carry him in the NHL, or he'll bust.
armani: (9)
Indrew: (9) Projects to be comparable to Bochenski
Krazy Tea: (8) Another great Italian kid to play in Michigan, his last name translates as Russian Captain, I'm pretty sure he's involved with the mob so I won't say anything terrible about him. Not sure he can keep scoring goals at the professional level like he has in the NCAA but certainly there is room for optimism. Have to agree, top 6 or bust here.
Theo Huxtable: (8)

11. Tomas Kudelka


HockeyDB Player Page

Defense - Zlin, Czech Republic - 6'1", 176 lbs - DOB 1987
Drafted 5th round, 136th overall 2005

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 49GP 6G 14A 20P 43PIM

Kudelka was a faller in the 2005 draft, dropping from a projected second round selection to the fifth round. He played well for two years in the WHL and has taken a step forward this season in Binghamton. Another step forward next year is vital.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (14) Much better this year than last. Hopefully he can continue the upward swing, but doubt he makes it to the NHL. Has really benefitted from Brendan Bell and Brian Lee staying in Ottawa most of the year.
Zamboner: (13)
armani: (13)
Indrew: (12)
Krazy Tea: (13) Having a better year don't know a lot about him though, don't see him taking it to the next level at this rate.
Theo Huxtable: (18)
moz: (13) Last year was a horrible year for him, but he seems back on track. He is not remarkable in anyway but might just drift into a bottom-pairing position on an NHL team in two or three years time, I don't believe that it will be with Ottawa.

12. Andre Petersson


HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Olofstrom, Sweden - 5'9", 169 lbs - DOB 1990
Drafted 4th round, 109th overall 2008

2008-09 HV71 Jrs. J20 24GP 15G 20A 35P 26PIM
2008-09 HV71 SEL 8GP 0G 0A 0P 0PIM

Petersson needs three or four years on the Peter Regin development trajectory. Talented but flawed, most of all Petersson will need to upgrade his skating, particularly his balance, which would be best achieved with regular time in the Swedish Elite League.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (11) It'll be interesting to see how he adjusts to playing in the upper league in Sweden. Certainly some skill there, but that's not the reason why he fell in the draft.
Zamboner: (9) Top 6 forward or BUST - The Swedish Louie Caporusso. Great offensive instincts, hands, and shot. For his small size, he should be a much better skater. May get a full-time spot in the SEL next year. Needs to work on strength and speed.
armani: (12)
Indrew: (14)
Krazy Tea: (10) Offensive winger, ton of potential, knocks are that he doesn't play hard every day. Dominated at junior will have to see how he plays against men, so far just one point in 10 games. It's kind of hard to picture him taking the next step to the NHL but he has the skill to get here if can maintain his commitment levels to the game.
Theo Huxtable: (11)
moz: (12) Absolutely impressive offensively in the World Juniors, however the knocks against him are numerous and justified. His small size is the biggest concern, though not a roadblock if he wants it bad enough. I don't know that he'll ever make it to the NHL, due to factors independent of his skill, but the first step is being competitive in the SEL, something he has yet to do.

13. Cody Bass

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Owen Sound, ON - 6'1", 213 lbs - DOB 1987
Drafted 4th round, 95th overall 2005

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 18GP 1G 1A 2P 41PIM
2008-09 Ottawa Senators NHL 12GP 0G 0A 0P 15PIM

Bass is a unique prospect, in that there is near-consensus that he will be an NHL player, but also that he lacks the scoring ability to even be a true third liner. Injuries are now a concern as well.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (12) I don't think he'll be anything more than 4th liner, but a sure-fire NHL'er. Worried about these injury issues.
Zamboner: (12)
armani: (15)
Indrew: (21+) I think Cody Bass is too injury-prone to make it, sadly.
Krazy Tea: (12) Injury prone but can be a menacing player to play against when healthy. 3/4 liner.
Theo Huxtable: (12)
moz: (9) I definitely feel that Cody Bass can be a permanent NHL from this point onward, whether it's with Ottawa or elsewhere. He will rise above a 4th/borderline 3rd role, but he can provide some sandpaper and energy that every team needs. He will never be an offensive contributor. As others mentioned, injuries are a concern, and may lead to him being superceded in the depth chart. I have him ranked much higher than others, but only because he is clearly destined to have a respectable NHL career. "Top 6 or bust" prospects who lean more toward the bust rank lower.

14. Kaspars Daugavins

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Riga, Latvia - 5'11", 181 lbs - DOB 1988
Drafted 3rd round, 91st overall 2006

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 23GP 2G 1A 3P 9PIM
2008-09 St. Michael's Majors OHL 18GP 3G 9A 12P 18PIM

Where other prospects have broken out this year, Daugavins took a step back. The talent remains there but better commitment and conditioning are necessary. The Latvian also needs to figure out what kind of prospect he wants to be, a role player and sparkplug or a scorer, and adjust accordingly.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (13) 4th best prospect my ass. Put him here because he's probably more talented than the rest.
Zamboner: (14)
armani: (11)
Indrew: (13)
Krazy Tea: (13) Significantly regressed this year, going back to the OHL was not really at good thing at Daugavins' age. Barring any miracles I would essentially say that his chance at the NHL is over.
Theo Huxtable: (20)
moz: (15) The opening write-up puts it best: there are serious questions about commitment and conditioning. While I had hope in his leadership from his accomplishments with a poor team in St. Michaels and as a youngster with Latvia, he seems unable to stand out amongst more talented teammates. He's at a sink or swim juncture in his career and while there is hope he can put it together, he quickly is being surpassed by other prospects.

15. Colin Greening

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - St. John's, NF - 6'2", 210 lbs - DOB 1986
Drafted 7th round, 206th overall 2005

2008-09 Cornell University NCAA 23GP 7G 12A 19P 8PIM

In this day and age, being drafted out of Upper Canada College as Greening was is even less common than from Denmark. Greening has developed nicely, and now is a legitimate prospect. He will be 23 next month and with his size and strength can play AHL hockey now, but returning for a senior year would not be a waste either.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (15) I think he may have more NHL potential than most, as I appear to have him higher than most everyone else. He's huge, is a leader on his team, and can score goals. Hope he gets to Bingo in the near future.
Zamboner: (18)
armani: (21+)
Indrew: (18)
Krazy Tea: (17)
Theo Huxtable: (14)

16. Derek Grant

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Abbotsford, BC - 6'3", 190 lbs - DOB 1990
Drafted 4th round, 119th overall 2008

2008-09 Langley Chiefs BCHL 31GP 24G 31A 55P 22PIM

Grant is likely the furthest away from the NHL of any player on this list. He has yet to play above Junior A, and has nothing left to prove there. Just how good a scorer, or prospect in general, he is remains an unanswerable question at this point.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (20) I guess we'll see what he can do in College, but he's dominating the BCHL like he should be.
Zamboner: (11)
armani: (16)
Indrew: (11)
Krazy Tea: (15) Did pretty decent in the BCHL until his recent injury, seems to be a little injury prone to me. Proved to be a better prospect than I thought but it will be good to see how his game carries over into the NCAA. Not holding my breath on this one but there is some hope that he can be a decent prospect.
Theo Huxtable: (13)
moz: (14) As SensGuy points out, Grant's dominance of the BCHL is more of an expectation than an achievement - check out the statistics of previous talented players to roll through that league like Kyle Turris or Travis Zajac. His offensive prowess against relatively weak competition is evident, but real questions will be answered if he can translate his offensive game against college or professional opponents. Most important will be whether he can add the defensive and physical elements to his game which will make an NHL career possible.

17. Erik Condra

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Trenton, MI - 6'0", 202 lbs - DOB 1986
Drafted 7th round, 211th overall 2006

2008-09 Notre Dame NCAA 29GP 8G 16A 24P 30PIM

Nobody doubts Condra’s intelligence or character. He is one of the most respected captains in the NCAA, and is a pre-med student to boot. An ACL injury last year is likely to blame for a disappointing senior year, but he has role player upside.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (16) His all around game is real good. Shouldn't have much issues adjusting to the AHL, but don't see a whole lot beyond that.
Zamboner: (16)
armani: (17)
Indrew: (16)
Krazy Tea: (14) Put up decent numbers in the NCAA, could be a solid AHL player, don't see him in the NHL.
Theo Huxtable: (15)

18. Emil Sandin

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Upsaala, Sweden - 5'10", 178 lbs - DOB 1988
Drafted 7th round, 199th overall 2008

2008-09 Brynas IF Gavle SEL 45GP 5G 9A 14P 6PIM

Sandin is kind of a throwback pick to the days when the Senators plucked overagers like Daniel Alfredsson, Andreas Dackell and Magnus Arvedson out of Sweden. He has played well this year in the Swedish Elite League and his style projects well to the NHL game.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (21+)
Zamboner: (17)
armani: (18)
Indrew: (17)
Krazy Tea: (16) Able to play decent hockey with Brynas IF in Sweden, putting up some decent numbers. Anders Forsberg, the Senators Swedish Amateur Scout thinks he needs one more year before he can play in the NHL. He is a decent set up man, won most points and assists in the north division in the J20 as well as the highest +/-.
Theo Huxtable: (19)
moz: (19) Don't expect to see Sandin ever make the transition to the NHL. He appears to have decent skills but lacks size and strength - hopefully he'll enjoy a healthy career in the SEL, but don't expect much more out of this overager.

19. Shawn Weller

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Glen Falls, NY - 6'2", 205 lbs - DOB 1986
Drafted 3rd round, 77th overall 2004

2008-09 Binghamton Senators AHL 44GP 2G 5A 7P 24PIM
2008-09 Elmira Jackals ECHL 4GP 1G 1A 2P 2PIM

This has been a disappointing year for Weller. He has all the tools to be a good third liner, good size, physical enthusiasm, strong skating ability and some offensive potential, but the window of opportunity will slam shut if he does not get his game together soon.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (18) Seems to have taken a step back, which is unfortunate.
Zamboner: (21+)
armani: (19)
Indrew: (21+)
Krazy Tea: (19)
Theo Huxtable: (21+)

20. Ruslan Bashkirov

HockeyDB Player Page

Forward - Moscow, Russia - 5'11", 186 lbs - DOB 1989
Drafted 2nd round, 60th overall 2007

2008-09 Tolyatti Lada KHL 2GP 0G 0A 0P 2PIM
(statistics incomplete)

Where in the world is Ruslan Bashkirov? The answer is not where he should be. Literally, that means not in the CHL, and abstractly that means not developing. To write off a second round pick 20 months later feels a bit odd though, so he gets the final spot on this list for no reason other than that.

Other Comments: (Prospect Ranking)

SensGuy: (21+)
Zamboner: (21+)
armani: (20)
Indrew: (21+)
Krazy Tea: (20)
Theo Huxtable: (21+)
moz: (16) Bashkirov will likely never see NHL time due to poor career choices, not lack of skill or ability. He is a gifted scorer who drives to the net with surprising abandon and showed consistent effort even when a game is out of reach. Unfortunately, his commitment to his twin brother appears to outweigh his commitment to a North American hockey career. While he is not entirely a lost cause, evidenced by his appearance at the most recent Senators development cause, playing in a third tier Russian league is of no help to him nor the Senators. He could be a recovered prospect someday, but don't bank on it.

Honourable Mentions:

Ben Blood

SensGuy: (17) Not even playing at UND most nights.
Zamboner: (15)
Indrew: (15)

Vitaly Anikeyenko

Theo Huxtable: (16)

Kirill Lyamin

Theo Huxtable: (17)

Eric Gryba

SensGuy: (19) - Haven't seen him once, just put him here.
Zamboner: (19)
Indrew: (19)