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Syracuse Crunch rookie forward Nikita Kucherov is having no problem leaving AHL defenders in his dust. When will he get a shot to do the same in the NHL?

(Scott Thomas/Syracuse Crunch)

Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois and his organization have a general principle they follow when assessing the pace of prospect development.

"I've never heard (anyone say), 'Oh, they've kept this guy in the minors too long,'' BriseBois said Monday. "Every now and then, you hear, 'They promoted this guy too soon.'''

So what does this mean for the travel itinerary of Syracuse Crunch uber-rookie Nikita Kucherov? That's all relative. In his case, too soon may be 20 games, too long may be 50. That's all up to him.

But given the recent track record of how the Lightning treats their top prospects both with the Crunch and with previous affiliate Norfolk, Kucherov is unlikely to earn a ticket out of town solely on the coattails of a hot streak.

Kucherov, 20, is off to the most eye-popping start of any rookie in Crunch history. Through 10 games he is averaging a cool two points a game. He leads the league with 11 goals and is tied for first with 20 points.

Kucherov's eventual promotion to the Lightning is inevitable, but the timetable is subject to several variables. He needs to get stronger and better defensively. If the Lightning stays healthy up front, they will be less tempted to rush him up.

The organization also has several other young forwards who have earned a look before him. If they continue to produce, the Lightning can more easily justify giving Kucherov extra seasoning in Syracuse.

"I think you have to look at it in a couple of different ways,'' said Syracuse coach Rob Zettler. "What is best for the development of the player? He's never played pros. His offensive game is obviously there. He still has to work on his play away from the puck. And he has to get used to playing against men.''

Here's a look at how the Lightning handled some of their other best prospects of the past three seasons:

Forward Cory Conacher: Conacher was the MVP of the AHL for Norfolk in 2011-12, but did not get a game in Tampa Bay that season. He might have made the team at the start of 2012-13 but the lockout pushed him to Syracuse, where he played 36 games before getting a promotion to Tampa. He was subsequently traded to Ottawa.

Forward Tyler Johnson: Johnson was an AHL All-Star for Norfolk two seasons ago and the AHL MVP for Syracuse last year. He got 14 games for the Lightning last year and made the team to start this season.

Defenseman Mark Barberio: He was the AHL's defenseman of the year with Norfolk in 2011-12 and a second-team AHL all-star with the Crunch last season. He played in two games with the Lightning last year and earned a roster spot with Tampa Bay to begin this season.

Forward Brett Connolly: He played 68 games for Tampa Bay as a rookie in 2011-12, although he got limited minutes. Last year, the Lightning told him to go down and take over in the AHL and he responded with 31 goals and 32 assists for the Crunch.

He had a strong training camp with Tampa Bay this year but was forced off the roster to begin the season. He is currently on recall to the Lightning for the second time this year.

Forward Alex Killorn: In a little bit of a different category because he had a more mature game after four full years of college hockey at Harvard. Played 27 games with Norfolk two seasons ago (regular season and playoffs) and 44 with the Crunch in 2012-13 before getting a shot with the Lightning and winning a full-time job there.

Defenseman Andrej Sustr: An exception to the Lightning's typical conservative approach to player advancement. He signed with the team as a free agent after three years at Nebraska-Omaha last spring and immediately jumped in as an important contributor to the Crunch's run to the Calder Cup finals. He earned a spot in Tampa Bay to start this season.

Kucherov's coming attractions have been tantalizing so far, but he needs to show a little more for a little longer before joining his Tampa Bay prospect predecessors in the NHL.

"You never know until they do it,'' BriseBois said of a player's adjustment to the NHL. "Eventually, you can project what they would look like at the NHL level. They come up, then it's up to them to grab the ball and run with it.''