Mike Hoffman, drafted in the fifth round (130 overall) by the Ottawa Senators, is currently leading the QMJHL in goal scoring with 32 markers through 38 games. (Photo courtesy the Saint John Sea Dogs.)

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It's amazing, when you think about: Mike Hoffman, currently playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs and leading the QMJHL in goals (32) and ninth in in the league in points (60) was completely ignored in his first year of draft eligibility. Even after putting up 94P (52G, 42A) in 2008-09, Hoffman managed to slide all the way to the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round (130 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Of course, the Senators organization--thirsting for some strong offensive talent to come up through the prospect pipeline--had no problems with that, not letting the fact that he was a 19-year-old deter them from taking a chance on his tremendous scoring upside.

Hoffman's success hasn't gone unnoticed, and the winger-turned-centre is almost certainly the Senators' strongest forward prospect currently playing Canadian major junior hockey, and perhaps the most promising forward overall. (Ottawa drafted him at 130 overall; check out the rankings of 2008 and 2009 prospects to see where he'd rank based on his current production.) He spoke with Silver Seven on Wednesday evening about his season so far, the type of game he plays, how he's liked his journey so far, and where he's looking for the future.

Silver Seven: How do you classify yourself as a player, and where do you think you'd fit on a pro team?

Mike Hoffman: Well, I'm a speedy type of player, with a good shot and pretty good vision. I think I'd have to be on the top two lines if I wanted to play at the pro level.

S7: Do you compare yourself to any current NHLers, or try to model yourself after any?

MH: Well, like most people say, I look a little bit like Mike Richards. If I could compare myself to anyone in the NHL, it would probably be him.

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Ottawa Senators prospect Jeff Costello, seen here during last summer's conditioning camp, is currently playing with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

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When the Ottawa Senators drafted Jeff Costello in the fifth round (146 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, there was little fanfare. He was preceded by more highly-touted draft picks, like Jared Cowen and Robin Lehner, and came just 14 selections before local product Corey Cowick was selected from the Ottawa 67s. With the season he's having so far on the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, though, you've got to think his ranking on the Senators' depth chart may be rising rapidly.

In 32 GP so far this season, Costello's put up 20G and 12A for 32P, good enough for 18th in the USHL scoring race. He's also +15 on the year (tied for 11 in the USHL) and, perhaps most tellingly, is third in the league with 101 PIM. I had the opportunity to talk to Costello about his career so far and his thoughts on the Senators, and he said that physicality is a big part of his game, and (judging by his PIM total) he obviously walks the line.

"I think I’d fall as a very physical forward that likes to bang the body around," Costello said, "But at the same time, I have the ability to score. Not necessarily pretty goals, but I can get those dirty, greasy goals that you have to have. I like to lead by example, and really bring the physical part of the game and get a lot of that exposed out there."

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photo © kp761219 (Flickr), used without permission

Robin Lehner was the second of two Ottawa Senators' 2009 second-round draft picks, selected 46 overall from the Frolunda Indians junior squad out of Sweden--the same organization Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson were drafted out of in their respective draft years. He was the second goaltender drafted overall, and a couple of days later was drafted ninth overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL import draft.

Lehner is the first Senators' goaltending draft pick since 2006, and is likely fifth of the Ottawa Senators' goaltending depth chart (behind Pascal Leclaire, Brian Elliott, Mike Brodeur, and Mitch O'Keefe). If early-development comparisons to Henrik Lundqvist bear any truth, however, Lehner could very well be suiting up for the Senators' NHL squad within a few seasons.

In an interview exclusive to Silver Seven, Lehner talks about his goaltending style, his plans for his hockey career, his thoughts about being drafted by Ottawa, and the good times he had at the Senators' 2009 rookie camp.

To read the entire transcript below the jump, click the link below and read the entire post.

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