In a make-or-break season, Alex Turcotte is looking strong with the Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are off to a reasonable 3-2-2 start to the season, and a big part of their success early on is the play of forward Alex Turcotte.
Originally a fifth-overall pick in 2019, the 23-year-old Turcotte has seen a regular shift on the Kings’ third line this year, and is playing over two minutes per game on the power play. Turcotte’s recorded four points in his first seven games this season.
Last year, consistent ice-time was hard to come by for the former first-rounder, as he split time between the Kings and the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, where Turcotte recorded 29 points in 35 games. This year Turcotte is playing more than he has in years’ past, and so far, he’s been making the most of his opportunity to impress Kings’ head coach Jim Hiller.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli welcomed Daily Faceoff’s Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis to the program, and the trio discussed Turcotte’s impact this season, and the lofty expectations riding on a make-or-break year for the Kings’ forward.
Seravalli: Alright, let’s talk about a lottery pick from five, count em’ – five years ago! Alex Turcotte of the LA Kings. Fifth overall, 2019 draft. He turns 24 in February, which officially ages him out of being a prospect, so called. But, when you look at Turcotte and the start he’s gotten off to this season with four points in seven games, what part about that makes you feel he’s now finally arrived.
Ellis: I think you know, he’s looked like a different player since we saw him in the preseason. We’ve seen those signs that he could go out there and be a good point-producer. I think the one thing was is Covid really screwed things up with his development there, where another year in the NCAA would have really helped. Another year at the University of Wisconsin. However, he did get to play in the AHL that following season, which he wouldn’t have been able to do in any meaningful capacity had he stayed in college.
But from there, all the injuries, last year I believe was the first time he’s played 50 games since his junior career. That’s a long time ago at this point when you look at a guy that’s 23 years old. I think this year he’s healthy, he’s looking good, he’s getting those opportunities. He’s not playing a ton of ice-time right now but he’s going out there and getting pretty favorable matchups and the points are starting to show. This is kind of a make it or break it year, but the way he’s playing right now, we’re looking at someone who could go out there and get 50 points this year, which would be huge for both him, and the LA Kings.
For more on Turcotte’s start and the very latest from across the NHL, watch the full episode here.