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This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

By Jim Lynch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Alex Turcotte #39 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Alex Turcotte #39 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Alex Turcotte was drafted fifth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, but since then he has had a hard time cracking the Los Angeles Kings lineup on a consistent basis.

Turcotte up to this point has played in 12 games for the Kings. Of the top 20 players drafted in the 2019 NHL Draft, Turcotte has played in the fewest games, and he is one of five players taken in the first round to not register a point up to this point.

This is a contract year now for Turcotte, and so one way or another this is going to be a big year for the 22 year old.

This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are looking to take that next step. Two years in a row now the Kings have made the playoffs only to lose in round one to the Edmonton Oilers. The roster has a lot of star talent, and one player that needs to find another level and make an impact has to be Turcotte.

The way the Kings roster is looking, Turcotte will most likely start the season in the AHL once again with the Ontario Reign. That is not an issue as Turcotte put up 17 points in 32 games during that time. He can definitely improve upon those stats starting the year in the AHL in the top six.

With that being said, at some point this season Turcotte should get a chance in the NHL, and when that happens he needs to make the most of it. A successful season for the Kings in regards to Turcotte has to be finding a way to get him on their NHL roster.

With how many centers the Kings already have, that probably will mean Turcotte will have to play on the wing, but either way just getting into the NHL and starting to make an impact is the most important thing right now.

If Turcotte and the Kings can’t find a way to get him into the NHL this season, then I think there could be a good chance the Kings use the former fifth overall pick in a trade at the deadline. Turcotte could impress in training camp and earn a spot on the NHL roster, and one of the first opportunities to see him play will be during the preseason which kicks off a week from today on Sept. 22 against Arizona.

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