Hemsky, Erat, Atkinson, Silfverberg, Tarasenko
 

Hi guys, need some help on the RW. I've got a pretty weak RW (see below)... so I'm going to have to be on the ball on the hot starts.

How would you guys rank these 5 guys this season for G, A, PPP, SOG???

I swear I've seen these five in a ranking before...

Atkinson
Silfverberg
Tarasenko
Erat
Hemsky

1. Tarasenko - I have big expectations for him, and I love his potential. I think he's ready to contribute in a big way as soon as this season. Could quickly find himself as the go to guy for the Blues.

2. Atkinson - Is going to get every oppertunity to prove his worth in Columbus. Has the shot to be the Jackets go to guy for the season. Really like his potential. Proved a nice amount last season and in the AHL during the lock out.

3. Erat - Not going to get anything spectacular out of Erat, but he's always a safe bet for solid point totals. This isn't a keeper, and I really like his reliability, should be the safest option of the group.

4. Silfverberg - Has a great oppertunity to produce this season, could have one heck of a season lining up next to Spezza. Feel like his potential for this season is a little less than either one of Tarasenko and Atkinson, and thus I like Erat's reliability over him as well.

5. Hemsky - Great player when healthy, and because of that carries the greatest risk. Even when healthy won't be looked to as the go to guy, and won't see the prime PP minutes. Playing in every game he could be the best of the bunch, but I figure he will miss a few, and even if he doesn't there is still a shot that all the guys above him still out point him.

My ranking would be:

Tarasenko
Erat
Hemsky
Silfverberg
Atkinson

Tarasenko - Stud. Best of the group, will likely post 0.75 pts per game or higher
Silfverberg - Excellent opportunity out of the gate starting on line 1 with Spez. 0.6 pts per game or higher
Hemsky - Good supporting cast and will likely get moved up and down line 1 and 2 while the kids get adjusted. 0.5 pts per game or higher if healthy.
Atkinson - Will be given a solid chance on a lackluster team. I think he will find it hard to adjust to NHL speed and intensity. 0.4 pts per game. 0.6 pts per game at best.
Erat - Plays for Nashville. Has never proved to be more than a top 6 type of guy. 0.5 pts per game at best.

If you are looking for a keeper then Tarasenko - if you just want production this year then I would roll the dice with Hemsky.

I'd say the safest bet of the bunch for production is Erat you can set your watch to his 50ish pt production. Having said that in a keeper I'd be inclined to roll the dice with Tarasenko or Silfverberg, Silfverberg looks to have the better starting situation (so I'd perhaps side with him if immediate production is important) but Tarasenko could well end up being the best player.

Mostly production. If Tarasenko produces well I wouldn't be able to keep him as a prospect, but if I sell the boat to trade for Malkin (his contract is up in our league) then based on these responses I will definitely be looking to snag up Tarasenko as keeper replacement.

Erat got 0.82 points per game last year. If you just count what he got after he was paired up with Fisher and Kostitsyn it was even higher. He will start the season with those two.

So for this season I'd rank them

Erat (nuff said)
Hemsky (Gagner in a contract year and Yakupov as linemates)

Tarasenko (Steen and McDonald as linemates, both solid if they can stay healthy and even if they can't Tarasenko is crazy talented)
Silfverberg (will start with Spezza and has a sick shot)
Atkinson (should do pretty well, not far behind Tarasenko and Silfverberg)

Erat has been in the league for 10 years and has never put up more than 58 points.

He has never played a full 82 game season and in the last 4, the most games played came three seasons ago with 74.

Nashville's offense is always stagnant. If you are happy with a guy who, if he stays healthy and plays his absolute best, is hoping for 50-60 pts, then by all means take Erat.