First-year NHL players burn a year off their entry-level contract once they play 10 games in a season. When will that game come for some of the top rookies so far?

The 10th game of any rookie's NHL career is an important one. 

Not only does it stand as yet another step on the path to stardom, but it serves as the official benchmark that triggers the first year of their entry-level contracts. 

Countless rookies get nine-game tryouts early in the season, but only a select few stick around to Game 10. 

Let's take a look at when some of this year's crop of rookies is expected to hit that coveted milestone. And as an honorable mention, the Boston Bruins announced Matthew Poitras will be sticking around for his 10th game on Nov. 2.

Kevin Korchinski, D, Chicago Blackhawks 

Games Played: Nine
10th Game: Nov. 4 versus Florida Panthers 

According to Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, Korchinski's future with the big league club this season is secure, saying they expect to keep the young defenseman on the roster past the customary nine-game threshold. 

It's hard to argue with the decision, too. Korchinski has acclimated quite well to the NHL throughout his initial nine-game debut, demonstrating the poise and situational awareness required to keep him at hockey's highest level. While he won't be challenging for the Calder, Korchinski is only furthering cementing himself as a key piece in Chicago's young core. 

Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes

Games Played: Eight
10th Game: Nov. 2 versus Montreal Canadiens 

It's safe to say Cooley has earned the right to burn the first year of his ELC, with the third overall pick from 2022 bursting onto the scene with six points in eight games to follow up a pre-season for the ages. 

While Cooley is still searching for his first big-league goal, the skilled center has been every bit the star-in-the-making that scouts and fans expected him to be once he hit NHL ice. As he continues to adjust to the stronger competition, the sky really does seem to be the limit for Cooley. 

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks 

Games Played: Nine
10th Game: Nov. 4 versus Florida Panthers

I will go out on a limb and say Bedard is probably safe to put down a deposit on a Chicago apartment at this point. 

The generational talent has been exactly that in his first month as an NHLer, dazzling fans across the league with his breathtaking skill and unprecedented hockey sense. With four goals already under his belt, Bedard has barely scratched the surface of his potential and is still filling nets on a nightly basis. The future sure is bright in the Windy City. 

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Games Played: Nine
10th Game: Nov. 2 versus Tampa Bay Lightning

Fantilli's transition to the NHL has been quite as seamless as Cooley or Bedard's, but the 2023 third overall pick is still a lock to burn that coveted first year of his ELC and remain with the Blue Jackets for the foreseeable future. 

With two goals and five points in nine games, Fantilli is already able to produce at the NHL level, particularly by making the most of his time on Columbus' power play. There are still some things Fantilli needs to iron out – faceoffs being particularly notable – but the 19-year-old looks like a big-leaguer and will undoubtedly remain one long enough to log double-digit games.  

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks

Games Played: Five
10th Game: TBD; earliest possible is Nov. 10 versus Philadelphia Flyers

The calendar won't tell you when Carlsson's 10th game is expected to be. Only the Ducks are privy to that information, as the club has been implementing a unique load management program with their second overall pick this season to help him acclimate to the NHL from Europe smoothly. 

It's a strategy few teams have tried with their young stars, but given Carlsson's initial success with two goals and one assist in five games thus far, it might become more common as the years go by. 

Carlsson is eligible to be sent to the AHL – a luxury few of his contemporaries have – so that option is always available to the Ducks if they choose to take it. But it seems as if they want to keep him in the NHL for now, leaving everyone to wonder just when he'll officially burn that first year. 

Zach Benson, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Games Played: Six
10th Game: TBD

The surprise of the pre-season, Benson was off to a wicked-hot start to his career after making the Sabres out of camp. He potted two assists in his first six games while also generating some seriously mind-bending possession results for a player of his age and experience. 

Alas, injuries reared their ugly head recently, as Benson is now listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury and was just placed on the IR. The silver lining is the Sabres now have more time to decide whether or not to keep him around past the 10-game threshold. But given his immediate impact, it's hard to imagine they'd choose not to. 

Pavel Mintyukov, D, Anaheim Ducks

Games Played: Nine
10th Game: Nov. 1 versus Arizona Coyotes

Mintyukov has looked like an NHLer from the moment he stepped on the ice this season, racking up an impressive one goal and five assists for six points in nine games while logging 19 minutes of ice time per night. 

The 19-year-old has not exactly been sheltered in a rookie-like manner to begin his career, having started most of his shifts in the defensive zone to this point. While it wasn't exactly a surprise to see Mintyukov make the Ducks out of camp, his near-instant acclimation to NHL ice has blown everyone away, making it a near-lock that he sticks with the club for the foreseeable future.