Tarasenko
 

When this season (or next) finally gets going, what are thoughts on Tarasenko points-wise?

How many can we expect from him in his first few seasons and long-term, what is his potential points per season?

In his first season or two, I would expect him to be in the 25g 25a range with the chance to slide up to the 60pt range. St. Louis is deep up front and Hitch will get the most out of him but theres only so much puck to go around. His upside could easily see him in the 80pt range on a consistent basis.

I prefer being pessimistic with non-megastar prospects in the early part of their career. I don't want to get burned waiting 2-3 years for a player to become fantasy relevant. Anyway, in Tarasenko's case I think he could be a 45-55 point rookie. It's a good total for a rookie and when being integrated into a strong team it's tough to find opportunity for great numbers initially.

Long-term I put him around 70-75 but that is likely beyond what I would consider the fantasy hockey scope. I worry that his production might mirror Oshie for a few years. Solid stats, but not outstanding like many will hope.

year 1: 45-50 points. 20 goals
year 2: 54-62 points 25 goals
year 3: 64-71 points 28 goals

upside IMO 75-82 point winger. some here on the boards have suggested he's the most talented prospect not in the NHL, but question his compete level. If he's available in our points only draft, round 1, i'm going to take him at #9 overall. I 'm pretty high on him and from i've seen of him thus far.

i have never heard anyone question tarasenko's compete level. In fact, I have always heard that it is one of his greatest strengths. Very coachable, desire to improve... the kid was the captain of his WJ team two years ago and he has been an alternate captain the last 2 seasons in the khl... yakupov is on another level, but tarasenko fits right in with all of the other high end prospects ready to lace 'em up in the nhl.

50 pts in his first year would be a great success, as it would be for any rookie.

Although STL has a lot of talent, they don't really have a true gamebreaker, and I think Tarasenko will fill that role. If they start building the PP and the majority of O-zone starts around him, lookout. A career peak in the neighborhood of 40-40-80 is not out of the question.

Everything I know about Tarasenko says the same thing. I've never seen or heard anything even close to "lack of effort" when it comes to Tarasenko. He's balls to the wall, a skilled bull on skates in every description and in every game I've seen.

Someone saying "I question his compete level" is clearly talking out of his ass.

I went digging tonight in the forum/ramblings and could not find that one particular point on Tarasenko. re: work ethic. I thought I saw it some time back, which made me scratch my head. It could very well have been written about some other player. Sorry for putting it in there. I for one DON'T question his work ethic and think he's a top end prospect.

Sorry for ruffling a few feathers here...COD

No worries, it was probably written about a different player, as you would have also remembered Dakkster cussing out whoever posted it at the time. :)

I am really stoked to watch Tarasenko in the NHL. I traded him in one of my keepers and own him in the other, so no matter how he does I'll feel both awesome and shitty.

So much depends on what the Blues do - they are so deep and balanced that this affects the production of their forwards.

I could see them eventually settling in to having two scoring lines and a two-way energy line:

Scoring line players: Perron, Schwartz, Backes, Tarasenko, Berglund, Stewart.

Energy/two-way guys: Steen, Oshie, etc.

I'm probably missing someone, and not factoring in Andy Mac long term.

I could also see them moving a forward for a defenseman at some point, assuming Schwartz and Tarasenko step in.