The rule of thumb according to former Leaf head coach Randy Carlyle is 350 NHL games minimum.
And so that process is very much in its early stages for Toronto Marlie blueliner Stuart Percy.
The Oakville, Ont., native isn't yet 22 but took a major step in his development last fall making the Maple Leafs out of training camp.
His cool and calm defies his age, and his passing ability under pressure is off the charts.
Those traits saw Percy open with the big club last October where he responded with an assist in each of his first three games.