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At the mid-way point of the hockey season, it’s time to re-rank the Ottawa Senators prospects around the globe based on their development. There is little doubt Ray Emery deserves to be on top of the list, and second-ranked prospect Antoine Vermette has all but officially graduated. It is after Vermette where the list gets cloudy, marked by a collection of six prospects who are all very close in terms of ability. It is possible that at the end of the year, the prospects ranked number three through number eight could be in reverse order. Below is a mid-season ranking of the organization’s top 20 prospects.

1.  Ray Emery, G, Binghamton (AHL) - Previous Rank: 1

Ray Emery maintains the top spot at this point in the season, a spot he has held since Jason Spezza became a mainstay with the Senators. A pure steal in the fourth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Emery has already endeared himself to Sens fans despite only four career games in the NHL. A big goalie who uses his size to his advantage, Emery is incredibly athletic. While many large goalies rely primarily on technique to succeed, the Cayuga, Ontario product is only now starting to fine-tune his technical skills -- a testament to his raw abilities. One of the top goalies in the AHL last year, he will once again make an appearance in the AHL All-Star Classic this season. In 26 games with Binghamton this season, Emery has a 2.25 goals-against-average and a .924 save percentage. In his only game with the big club, Emery stopped 27 of 28 shots for a victory, although he is not expected to have a regular role in Ottawa until at least next season.

2. Antoine Vermette, C/LW, Ottawa (NHL) - Previous Rank: 2

Primed to graduate from prospect status, Vermette has only played three games in the AHL this season, but has yet to hit 41 games played, so is technically still a prospect. This season has been a major step forward for the forward, whose career once was in doubt. After a fantastic rookie pro season with Binghamton last season, the St-Agapit, Quebec native made the big squad if only because of injuries. He quickly established himself as a valuable member of the penalty kill, and slowly earned more ice time with more gifted linemates. Known for his breathtaking speed, Vermette possesses impressive hockey sense and has the hands and offensive skills to put up points in the NHL. Through 35 games in Ottawa he has four goals and four assists and appears to be in Ottawa to stay. Upon returning from his current shoulder injury, he could continue to see ice time on a scoring line. 

3. Igor Mirnov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (Russian Super League) – Previous Rank: 6

After Emery and Vermette, the Senators have a collection of six prospects that are all very close, and at present time Igor Mirnov may be the best of the bunch. The club’s second round pick in the most recent draft, Mirnov was generally considered a first round talent, but for any number of reasons dropped in the rankings. A fantastic skater with a great shot, Mirnov has the potential to be a great two-way player, but needs to refine his game. Mirnov got off to a fantastic start, but suffered a knee injury in the middle of December, which caused him to miss the World Juniors. At the present time, he has seven goals and 11 points in 38 games for a talented Dynamo team. One issue for Mirnov is his conditioning, which has come into questioning in the past, and may have caused his drop on draft day. This is not unusual for Russian prospects though, and the Senators’ very own Anton Volchenkov came to North America in poor shape, and is still working to rectify the problem.

4. Brandon Bochenski, LW, North Dakota (NCAA) - Previous Rank: 7

The Senators have never had a Hobey Baker finalist, let alone a winner. That could change this year, as Brandon Bochenski, a junior winger at the University of North Dakota, is the early favourite for the trophy given to the top college hockey player in the United States each year. Despite being the 238^th player selected in 2001, Bochenski has major scoring upside and could be the answer to the Senators’ lingering question marks on left wing. The complete package up front, Bochenski has size, skill and smarts. Blessed with great hands and an NHL-caliber shot, Bochenski also has the size at 6’2” and almost 200 pounds to fight off checks. What makes him such an effective goal scorer though, are his natural instincts and hockey sense. His most notable flaw has been his skating in the past, but Bochenski has worked hard to improve his on his quickness. After a strong sophomore season playing alongside New Jersey Devils top prospect Zach Parise, Bochenski has been around a goal-a-game pace all season, and currently has 20 goals and 37 points in 21 games. Bochenski has the potential to be a big scorer in the NHL, but will most likely require some fine-tuning in the AHL first.

5. Brooks Laich, C, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 3

For the Senators, the 2001 draft has yielded a plethora of very good prospects and young players and Brooks Laich is another player selected by the team that year. The 193^rd player selected in his draft year, Laich wasn’t even ranked by Central Scouting, but busted out in his two subsequent junior seasons. In his final year, he not only was a finalist for the rookie of the year in the WHL, but put up six points for the Canadian entry at the 2003 World Junior Championships. This year, Laich got off to a slow start, but has picked it up of late. With 18 points in 32 games, the Wawota, Saskatchewan native will only improve his offensive production before eventually making the big squad. A hard-working forward with size and speed, Laich may not have the skills to be a major scoring threat, but regardless, should make at least a great third line player.

6. Patrick Eaves, C, Boston College (NCAA) – Previous Rank: 5

The story of Patrick Eaves is pretty simple. He would be a better prospect if not for the injuries. Had the Boston College forward not suffered a major concussion last year, he most likely would have gone much higher in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. A coach’s player, Eaves’ father was the bench boss for the gold medal winning American squad at the World Junior Championships, and Eaves showed off his talents at this tournament. While not big, Eaves does play an abrasive style, and will sacrifice his body to block shots and make plays. While Eaves is a scorer in college, he may simply team with Laich to form a great third line in the future. This season, Eaves has already suffered two minor injuries, one to his knee in December, and a chest injury since returning from the World Junior Championships. Despite missing time with injuries and to go to the World Juniors, Eaves still has five goals and 18 points in 16 games.

7. Jan Platil, D, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 10

Although Jan Platil’s point production has been disappointing in his first professional campaign, the former Barrie Colts defenseman is still a very promising prospect. Despite producing a fair amount of offense from the blueline in junior, Platil looks to be more of a physical, punishing defenseman, at least in the pro game. A very raw player, the Kladno, Czech Republic native should see much more ice time next year as some of the older defensemen in Binghamton graduate or move on. Platil only has one assist in 40 games this season, although his 72 penalty minutes show he is still bringing his physical brand of hockey to the ice.

8. Alexei Kaigorodov, C, Mettalburg Magnitogorsk (RSL) – Previous Rank: 4

At one time there was talk Alexei Kaigorodov was considering coming to North America this season after a fantastic 2002-03 season with Mettalburg in the Russian Super League. After putting up eight goals and 22 points in 46 games last year, Kaigorodov was selected to play for the Russian World Championship team, rare for a player so young. This was in large part because Kaigorodov is known for being an incredibly smart and responsible two-way player. This season has been a major disappointment, as he has only two goals and seven points 35 games. That being said, Kaigorodov had only four assists in his first 31 games, but has two goals and three points in his last four games, and could be pulling out of a prolonged slump. Kaigorodov could be much higher on this list at the end of the season. 

9. Billy Thompson, G, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 13

One of two prospects acquired in exchange for Jani Hurme at the start of the 2002-03 season, Billy Thompson is a huge goalie who has had a good start to his professional career. Emery’s backup was at one point pushing for more significant playing time, before cooling off. The Saskatoon native does not have starter’s potential, but could be a very good backup, and if Emery graduates next season, could have several good years in the AHL before playing with the big club. For a number of reasons, Thompson has played 20 games this season, and has a 2.79 GAA and .902 save percentage in those games.

10. Christoph Schubert, D, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 8

Similar to Platil in many ways, Schubert has not busted out this season the way the Senators had hoped. With Brian Pothier up with the big club, he has failed to take on a great offensive role with Binghamton and only has two goals and seven points in 42 games. With a good frame and good mobility, Schubert needs to improve his consistency to take the next step in his pro career.

11. Philippe Seydoux, D, Kloten Flyers (Swiss League) – Previous Rank: 12

Yet another well-rounded defenseman within the system, Philippe Seydoux has had a good season with Kloten. Through 17 games, the Senators 2003 third round pick has registered two goals and four points, but is known more for his physical play than his offense. The question about Seydoux is whether he can play his nasty, in-your-face style in the much tougher North American professional leagues.

12. Julien Vauclair, D, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 11

Long labeled the Swiss Laukannen, Julien Vauclair is similar to Seydoux, although he does not bring enough of a physical game to the rink. An AHL All-Star for the first time in his career, Vauclair has two goals and 16 points in 42 games this season, and even played his first NHL game with the Senators. Vauclair may make the Senators as a seventh defenseman next year, or else he will be picked up on waivers by another organization.

13. Mattias Karlsson, D, Brynas (Swedish Elite League) – Previous Rank: 9

Surprisingly, Matthias Karlsson did not get selected to the Swedish World Junior team, although he should have no problem making the squad next year. Despite having impressive potential, Karlsson has not had a great season, having failed to record a point in 34 games in the Elite League. With the farm team for Brynas, he has put up eight points in 15 games.

14. Alexandre Giroux, LW, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank NR

A project of sorts, Alexandre Giroux was drafted as a 6’3” beanpole who weighed only about 160 pounds. Now up to 197 pounds, the Quebec City native has started producing more offense this year with 23 points in 38 AHL games, and was one of the final cuts in training camp for the Senators. Has the potential to be a good checker who can produce some offense as well.

15. Chris Kelly, RW, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 17

Chris Kelly is a bit of a forgotten prospect within the Senators organization. Never a huge junior scorer, Kelly provides speed, grit, leadership and intelligence, and has quietly put up some offensive numbers in the AHL this season. His 28 points in 42 games are impressive, as is his team leading +12 mark. In reality, Kelly likely will never be more than a fourth liner with penalty killing ability.

16. Scott Dobben, LW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) – Previous Rank: 18

After a terrible 2002-03 campaign, Scott Dobben has put together a good overage season this year, combining with top prospect Jeff Carter to form a potent offensive unit for the Soo. So far, the Drayton, Ontario native has posted 49 points in 45 games, and has begun to use his size more to his advantage. Dobben will most likely play in Binghamton next season, if he is signed before July 1^st.

17. Sergey Gimayev, D, Severstal Cherepovets (RSL) – Previous Rank: NR

Although his selection to the Russian World Junior Team was somewhat of a surprise, Gimayev had a successful tournament, and has played the entire season in the Russian Super League. Despite being part of a less than stellar squad, Gimayev has yet to receive significant ice time, and only has one goal in 36 games. The problem for Gimayev is that he loves to play physical hockey, but unlike other defense prospects such as Platil and Seydoux, he may not have the size or mass to play his style effectively in North America.

18. Johan Bjork, D, MIF Redhawks (SEL) – Previous Rank: NR

The final Senators prospect to participate in this year’s World Junior Championships, Johan Bjork is an all-round blueliner who has good skating ability and decent size, but does not excel in any one area of the game. Similar to Karlsson, the 2002 fourth round pick has split time between the Elite League and the juniors. In 27 games with the big club, he has only a single goal, but at the junior level, he has produced nine points, four of them goals, in 16 games.

19. Neil Komadoski, D, Notre Dame (NCAA) – Previous Rank: NR

Already a senior in college, Neil Komadoski has a chance to play for Binghamton next season, but whether or not he gets signed is a question mark. A physical, steady, defensive defenseman by trade, the Missouri native hopes to follow in his father Neil Komadoski Sr.’s footsteps. The senior Komadoski played over 500 games in the NHL, although the Senators organization is unlikely to be the place where Komadoski breaks into the league. Through 24 games, Komadoski has registered 13 points.

20. Greg Watson, C, Binghamton (AHL) – Previous Rank: 15

Once a highly touted prospect who went in the early second round to Florida in 2001, Watson failed to improve throughout his junior career and has had anything but a good start to his professional career. Big and tough with decent skating abilities, Watson clearly lacks some offensive skills, as evidenced by his four points in 37 games thus far, but could make the NHL in a very limited role at some point.

The mid-season rankings were compiled by Scott Petersen, Nick Quain, Sean Keogh and Carl Weisbrot.