Teams are beginning to face tough roster decisions regarding the future of key young players.
A player on an entry-level contract can skate in nine games before teams must decide whether to send him to the American Hockey League or junior hockey and delay the start of their contract to the following season. Teams still can send a player down after his 10th game, but it would use up the first season of his contract regardless of how many more NHL games he played.
For some, the decisions will be easy. The New Jersey Devils have reached the top of the Metropolitan Division standings in part because of the play of three rookies, forwards Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, and defenseman Will Butcher.
Hischier, 18, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, has seven points (two goals, five assists) in eight games and centers the Devils' top line, between Taylor Hall and Drew Stafford. Bratt, 19, is tied for the Devils lead with three goals, and Butcher, 22, leads NHL rookies and is fourth among defensemen with nine points, all assists, in eight games.
Barring injury or major lineup changes, they'll be with New Jersey well beyond their 10th game, against the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 28.
Other teams won't have such easy decisions. Here is a look at a few players and their likelihood of remaining in the NHL past their ninth game:
Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
So far: After being scratched the first two games of the season, Boeser has six points (two goals, four assists) in six games, and is tied for the Canucks scoring lead. If he remains in the lineup he'll play his 10th game against the Devils on Nov. 1.
Staying or going: Almost certainly staying. The Canucks are averaging 29.9 shots per game, sixth-fewest in the League, but have a 53.91 shot-attempts percentage at 5-on-5 when Boeser is on the ice, third among Canucks forwards behind Daniel Sedin (58.99) and Henrik Sedin (58.02).
Alex DeBrincat, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
So far: DeBrincat, 19, has four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games, mostly on a line with center Artem Anisimov and Patrick Sharp, and is averaging 14:36 of ice time. He's scheduled to play his 10th game at the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Staying or going: Staying. DeBrincat adds energy and offensive skill. And after three straight 50-goal seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, there's little left for him to prove as a junior player.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
So far: Dubois, 19, has one goal in eight games and is averaging 12:31 of ice time per game. The Blue Jackets selected Dubois with the third pick of the 2016 NHL Draft with the hope he could develop into a franchise center, but he's been playing mostly left wing in a bottom-six role. His 10th game would be against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
Staying or going: Going. Dubois would be better served playing in a top-line role on the wing with Blainville-Boisbriand of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League if that's the position the Blue Jackets believe he'll eventually play in the NHL, rather than playing a bottom-six role with the Blue Jackets.
Clayton Keller, C, Arizona Coyotes
So far: Keller, 19, has eight points (six goals, two assists) in eight games. He leads all rookies in goals and is tied for second in points, one fewer than Butcher. He leads the Coyotes in goals and points and is second among Coyotes forwards with an average ice time of 19:46 per game. Keller is scheduled to play his 10th game at the New York Rangers on Oct. 26.
Staying or going: Staying. Keller has emerged as the top offensive presence for Arizona.
Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
So far: McAvoy, 19, has picked up right where he left off after getting thrown into the Stanley Cup Playoffs fire last season. His seven points (one goal, six assists) in seven games leads Bruins defensemen and he's averaging 21:03 of ice time per game, second on the team to defenseman Zdeno Chara (22:50). He's scheduled to play his 10th game at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30.
Staying or going: Staying. McAvoy has the look of a cornerstone for the Bruins.
Victor Mete, D, Montreal Canadiens
So far: Mete, 19, was a surprise standout during training camp and has emerged as a solid complement to Shea Weber on the top defense pair. In eight games he has two assists, and he's averaging 19:57 of ice time per game, second among NHL rookie defensemen, six seconds fewer a game than McAvoy. He's set to play his 10th game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Staying or going: Staying. Mete has looked fine playing top minutes, and his skating and puck-moving ability only will get better the longer he's in the NHL.
Nolan Patrick, C, Philadelphia Flyers
So far: Patrick, 19, has three points (one goal, two assists) in eight games. He's played mostly on the third line, with Travis Konecny and Dale Weise. While he hasn't had a big offensive impact, the Flyers have been happy, according to general manager Ron Hextall. Patrick, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, is set to play his 10th game at the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
Staying or going: Staying. Hextall has said in the past he's not a believer in the nine-game rule, and if a young player makes a team out of training camp, it's because he's capable of helping the team. The Flyers believe Patrick helps them be better.
Mikhail Sergachev, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
So far: Sergachev, 19, has eight points (three goals, five assists) in nine games. He leads rookie defensemen in goals and is second in points, with one fewer than Butcher, despite averaging 12:36 of ice time. Sergachev is scheduled to play his 10th game at the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Staying or going: Likely staying. General manager Steve Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times, "From a team perspective, we're trying to win. We're trying to make the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs. Are we a better team with him or not? You weigh all of those things and watch over the course of time. Is he headed in the right direction? So far, he's done fine."
Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edmonton Oilers
So far: Yamamoto, 19, has three assists in six games. He's found a spot at right wing on the Oilers' top line, joining center Connor McDavid, and has seen his ice time rise steadily. After playing less than 12 minutes in his first two games, he's played at least 17:53 in the past four, and more than 20 minutes twice. He's scheduled to play his 10th game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 1.
Staying or going: Likely staying. Yamamoto has dispelled any fears of his size (5-foot-8, 154 pounds) being an issue. Getting to play on the top line takes a measure of trust from the coach, and Yamamoto clearly has McLellan's. "For a young player he's playing big minutes against some really good players right now," McLellan said. "He's been tested and he's passing the test."
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