Sporting News: Which NHL rookies will stick, or be sent packing, after first 9 games

[TT1]

If MTL keeps playing well Kotka will most likely stay because hes a defensively responsible C (even tho its not like hes getting tough shutdown minutes or anything).

If we start playing poorly he might get sent back to Finland before the 40 game mark. Hes definitely staying for more than 9 games tho.

 

[Dbrownss]

Doubt Thomas is sent down, even though his usage is ugly. Managment has been emphatic about him having nothing to prove in juniors. Blues' brutal start to the season hasnt done him any favors as they are desperate to win and may not view a rookie as a viable option(criticism of Yeo). Without Yeo's willingness to shift him to a wing, he is virtually stuck as the 4C when he could at least be elevated to the 3RW spot. He will most likely get a huge boost in linemate quality with the return of Fabbri. They had them paired in TC.

 

[Mrb1p]

Great to see the 36th overall best prospect in the league make the NHL.

What a surprise, really ! Personally, I'd much rather have Joe Veleno, Sami Niku, Anthony Cirelli, Robert Thomas, Dylan Strome, Filip Zadina, Eeli Tolvanen, Joel Farabee, Klim Kostin, Gabe Vilardi and Alex Nedjwhatshisname than the young finn!