While the past season was a disappointment for the Senators, there are signs of a better future ahead. Some of the team’s long-term prospects have made, or are on the verge of making the team, such as Peter Regin, and Brian Elliott. Others have shown major strides over the past year, like Erik Karlsson. The most recent draft yielded some intriguing players and four of those 2009 draftees have made their way on to the Senators Top 20 prospects.

Top 20 at a Glance

1. Erik Karlsson, D
2. Jared Cowen, D
3. Brian Lee, D
4. Brian Elliott, G
5. Peter Regin, C
6. Patrick Wiercioch, D
7. Ilya Zubov, F
8. Jim O’Brien, C
9. Louie Caporusso, C
10. Jakob Silfverberg, W
11. Zach Smith, C
12. Robin Lehner, G
13. Cody Bass, C
14. Erik Condra, RW
15. Andre Petersson, W
16. Mattias Karlsson, D
17. Vitaly Anikeyenko, D
18. Chris Wideman, D
19. Eric Gryba, D
20. Tomas Kudelka, D

Breakdown follows here..
Senators Top 20 prospects, Fall 2009 - Hockey's Future

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I don't think I agree with Lee being ahead of Elliott

Too bad about Jim O'Brien. I sure hope he can light it up in the AHL and end up being the top 6 power forward Bryan Murray intended him to be. That is a good idea for him to move to a wing, where he will have more opportunities because we are way too deep at center.

They are probably right about Zubov. If he doesn't make the team out of camp, which he probably won't, he will likely go back to Russia.

I sure hope Erik Karlsson plays in the AHL this year. Because if Smith is gone, that leaves us with 6 defensemen plus Schubert. Cowen and Wiercioch aren't nearly ready yet, if we have a bunch of injuries who are we gonna call up? Carkner? Kudelka? Derek Smith? Not that that would be the end of the world but it sure would be nice to know that we can bring up Karlsson and give him a try and some valuable NHL experience if need be.

I am sure he will come to the AHL though, I just finished browsing Frolunda's roster and it sounds like they already have a couple power play quarterbacks so it would be best for him to go to Binghamton where he will get to be the go-to guy and likely get a few call-ups to the big league.

Also I find it odd that they rank Jakob Sifverberg a 6.5C, but in the write-up they say some people think he could turn out to be a star forward. Then why not rank him a 7 or 7.5, even if it means giving him a D instead of a C? Isn't that how their ranking are supposed to work? If he has the capacity to be a star, but its not likely, give him a star quality number grade but a worse letter grade?

I sure hope Wiercioch makes Canada's World Junior team this year, at least as the 7th defenseman. How about this group of defensemen: Myers, Cowen, Teubert, Ellis, Pietrangelo, Cuma and Wiercioch. Sounds like he would fit in nicely.

So thats my thoughts on the top 20.

Neither do I!

You wouldn't, would you Miss Elliott

Haha. But honestly, I don't get why Lee would be ahead of Elliott..

Lee is a safer prospect then Elliott. Lee is almost guarenteed to be a top 4 defenceman. Elliott still has alot to prove.

I really don't see it that way - Lee hasn't proven anything yet.

If what you are saying is that he has more potential, then that's another matter.

Lee played very steady under Clouston. Proved he could be a top 4

Elliott has glimpses of brilliance but also showed he has alot to work on.

Yeah, Lee will almost definatley be a top 4 defenseman. Elliot is looking like he will be a career backup so far. Which is very impressive anyway considering he was a 9th round pick.