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Usually, the decision of whether to keep a junior-aged player on an NHL roster for a 10th game comes down to four questions.

What role does he play for the NHL team and does that role stand to increase or decrease? What role would he play in junior? Where would his development be best served? And, what is in the best interest of the NHL parent club?

Often, the key stat to know is the player's average time on the ice in NHL games. That speaks to the role he plays as a professional, the key determination from which all of the above answers follow.

The following eight players are all eligible to play for Canada's entry at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship next month. All can be returned to junior hockey at some point this season, or lent to the Canadian team for the tournament in Ottawa.

Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs

Games played: 10

Time on ice a game: 21:36

The first year of Schenn's contract is already burning and he is playing a large role. It would take a substantial step back for the defenceman to be available to Canada.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Games played: 9

Time on ice a game: 21:32

The second overall pick in the 2008 entry draft plays his 10th game tonight. When fellow first-round defenceman Jack Johnson was lost to shoulder surgery last month, Doughty became a lock to stay in the NHL.

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

Games played: 3

Time on ice a game: 16:28

Pietrangelo suffered a neck injury on Oct. 13, but could return as early as Saturday. By mid-November, Hockey Canada should know where the defenceman stands.

Brandon Sutter, Carolina Hurricanes

Games played: 7

Time on ice a game: 14:00

He was diagnosed with a concussion after that vicious hit from Doug Weight last weekend. Sutter spent the night in hospital and was suffering from whiplash earlier this week. There is no timetable for his return.

Kyle Turris, Phoenix Coyotes

Games played: 8

Time on ice a game: 12:02

Turris has yet to play 15 minutes in any of his eight games, and 10 Coyote forwards average more ice time. If he slips any further, he could be a candidate to be lent to Canada.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Games played: 9

Time on ice a game: 11:39

The first overall selection last June scored his first NHL goal in a three-point performance on Thursday. Stamkos is important to the Lightning's marketing effort, further improving his prospects of staying put.

Colton Gillies, Minnesota Wild

Games played: 7

Time on ice a game: 9:26

Gillies was a healthy scratch last weekend and has averaged just eight minutes in two games since. Minnesota plans to keep the 6-foot-4 forward and spot him some occasional rest.

Josh Bailey, New York Islanders

Games played: 0

Time on ice a game: 0

Bailey, a centre, played one preseason game before going on injured reserve (lower body). The early prognosis called for a return by mid-November. The Islanders have released little information since.

*Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner is also eligible to play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Unlike the above players, however, Gagner played last season in the NHL.

Do the numbers add up?

The eight eligible players that Canada could be missing at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championship next month in Ottawa are the most since 1997 tournament.

That year Canada was missing 11 players: Mathieu Dandeneault, Shane Doan, Jason Doig, Jeff Friesen, Ed Jovanovski, Chad Kilger, Kyle McLaren, Jeff O'Neill, Ryan Smyth, Rhett Warrener and Jason Wiemer.

Here is a year-by-year list of the number of juniors who were playing in the NHL and missing from Canadian teams in the past two decades. Unofficial data provided by Hockey Canada. Also included are Canada's results at the Under-20 tournament.

Year, number of players missing, result:

2008: 4 players missing, Gold

2007: 2, Gold

2006: 2, Gold

2005: 6, Gold

2004: 5, Silver

2003: 2, Silver

2002: 3, Silver

2001: 7, Bronze

2000: 4, Bronze

1999: 6, Silver

1998: 3, 8th

1997: 11, Gold

1996: 0, Gold

1995: 7, Gold

1994: 5, Gold

1993: 5, Gold

1992: 7, 6th

1991: 11, Gold

1990: 16, Gold