Affordable young talent is the lifeblood of a salary-cap league. And ensuring their proper development is critical in converting these assets into NHL talent.
As the season's 10-game mark approaches, so too does a key date for general managers: whether their freshmen talent sticks in the big league or if more seasoning in the minors is required.
Some of those decisions have already been made. The Carolina Hurricanes sent down 2017 first-round pick Martin Necas after one game, and the New York Rangers did the same with Filip Chytil after two contests.
Other rulings will be more of a lay-up. Arizona's Clayton Keller, Philadelphia's Nolan Patrick, and New Jersey's Nico Hischier are going nowhere.
Here is how the remaining big decisions could shake out:
Here to stay
Mathew Barzal, 16th pick in 2015
The New York Islanders made headlines with their recent demotion of forward Josh Ho-Sang, but fans shouldn't expect a similar announcement about Barzal.
After a brief stint with the team last year before being returned to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, Barzal appears to be sticking around for good this time. In nine games with the Islanders, Barzal has put together three points and has averaged more than 15 minutes a game in a top-six role.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, 3rd pick in 2016
A surprise pick to stick given his stat line, Dubois was given the good news on Thursday when GM Jarmo Kekalainen informed him he will be spending a little more time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That was the lone option for Dubois to play pro this season, as the 19-year-old product of the CHL is not eligible for the minors and could only return to the QMJHL's Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. With the Blue Jackets, Dubois has posted one goal in nine games, while averaging 12:26 in ice time.
Tyson Jost, 10th pick in 2016
Fans of the Colorado Avalanche got an early showing of Jost last season, when the University of North Dakota product played in the final six games of the season, including a game against the Minnesota Wild which saw Jost notch his first NHL goal.
One year later, and through another six games, Jost has picked up two points. An NHL talent who will grow into a bigger role over time, Jost is a key part of the future in Denver, alongside fellow youngsters Mikko Rantanen, Alexander Kerfoot, and 2017 first-rounder Cale Makar.
Luke Kunin, 15th pick in 2016
A late cut in training camp, Kunin got a second audition with the Wild after the team ran into injury concerns earlier this month. So far, he has made the most of it, as he's tallied two assists in four contests.
After netting 38 points in 35 games with the University of Wisconsin last season, Kunin finished the year in the AHL, where he came up with eight points in 12 games. He is already producing as a pro, and his current trial with the Wild should help him secure a full-time roster spot.
See you soon
Gabriel Carlsson, 29th pick in 2015
It's been difficult for the Blue Jackets to get an accurate read on Carlsson, as the young defenseman has been out with an injury for the past five games.
Still, when Carlsson has been in the lineup, he has yet to show his NHL readiness, as he's recorded just one point. Carlsson's ice-time has declined over four contests, falling to less than 10 minutes in his last appearance. The 20-year-old spent last year in Sweden and could benefit from time in the AHL.
Owen Tippett, 10th pick in 2017
Although he was praised by coach Bob Boughner after his NHL debut earlier this month - a contest in which he finished with a team-leading seven shots - Tippett has been a frequent healthy scratch by the Florida Panthers.
That makes him a prime candidate to return to junior, where he can continue to hone his game with the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads. Tippett tallied 44 goals and 31 assists in 60 games in junior last season.
Kailer Yamamoto, 22nd pick in 2017
The Edmonton Oilers face a difficult decision when it comes to the immediate future of Yamamoto.
On a skilled Oilers squad that has struggled to score this season, Yamamoto has been a bright spot, as he helped create three goals through seven games. But banking on the 19-year-old to keep up the offense may be too much too soon. In the meantime, Edmonton has other scoring threats it can turn to while Yamamoto further develops in junior.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.