Eighteen and nineteen year old rookies who play 10 games with their respective NHL teams lose their first-year status and their contracts are deemed to have commenced for the purposes of establishing rights and obligations under the league’s collective bargaining agreement. As a result, NHL teams often try out rookies for nine games before deciding if they want to keep them for the whole season and burn a year on their contracts. Well the courtship is over. We are at the 9-game mark in the schedule. Which rookies will stay and which will be returned to their junior teams?

Staying

Steve Stamkos (Tampa)

Despite not registering a single point in seven games so far, Stamkos has purchased a car and moved into his own apartment with the blessing of coach Barry Melrose.

Luke Schenn (Toronto)

His poised play has impressed everyone in the Leaf organization. He was advised by coach Ron Wilson on Monday that he is not going back to Kelowna of the WHL.

Drew Doughty (Los Angeles)

This was pretty much ordained from the beginning of the season. Doughty is in Tinsletown to stay.

Jakub Voracek (Columbus)

With seven points in nine games this season there is little doubt Voracek will remain in Columbus.

Mikkel Boedker (Phoenix)

Coach Wayne Gretzky loves him and told the 18-year-old to find permanent lodging in the desert.

Luca Sbisa (Philadelphia)

On Monday, Flyer GM Paul Holmgren delivered the news that he Sbisa will be staying with the big club past the 10-game deadline. He has been a nice surprise.

Going

Nikita Filatov (Columbus)