Does Alex Turcotte Have Most to Prove This Season for Kings?

Alex Turcotte turned heads when playing for the USNTDP, U.S. National Under 17, and 18 teams.

After being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (5th overall), some wonder if he has the most to prove in training camp this year.

Turcotte is a special player. He has the compete, drive offensive awareness, and ability to create plays on the go. There is no question he is one of the cornerstones of the franchise moving forward. However, will his injury history catch up with him?

Turcotte has been injured off and on with a lower-body injury and had surgery for acute appendicitis; he fully recovered from both. This may cause concern for some because he is so young, but he has pushed through to produce offensively.

Turcotte has the most to prove in the upcoming hockey season, whether he plays for the Kings or AHL affiliate Ontario Reign.

He has to have a standout season, be a top scorer, and show he can be a 200-foot player.

He was picked 5th overall mainly for his offensive skills, but if he can show he can contribute on the defensive end, also he may leapfrog a few prospects into the show.

Last season for Ontario, he produced 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points and 20 penalty minutes in 32 games, pretty good for his first AHL season.

He will most likely need to average a point per game to get the organization’s attention for a call-up with the others mentioned above. Turcotte is still a force to be reckoned with and will be a star in the NHL.

A little more work and better consistency will put him right in the conversation for a call-up when he makes the Kings as a permanent player, lookout.