The Los Angeles Kings have signed 2019 fifth-overall pick Alex Turcotte to a three-year, league-minimum extension. The deal will be two-way in year one and one-way in years two and three, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider (Twitter link).
Turcotte was set for restricted free agency this summer after finishing out his three-year, $7.4MM entry-level contract this season. He spent much of the deal in the minor leagues, totaling 85 points in 126 AHL games over the last four seasons. The high-scoring was enough to routinely earn Turcotte NHL call-ups, though he went without a point through 12 NHL games over the last two seasons, and only posted four points in the 20 he played in this year.
Turcotte hasn’t yet fought his way above the NHL’s fourth line but the Kings aren’t giving up on him yet, with the structure of his new deal suggesting they’re setting him up for one more strong development year in the minors, then awarding him two years to carve out a daily role. There’s certainly talent worth the price of admission in Turcotte, who formed a fantastic duo with wingers Matt Boldy and Trevor Zegras during his two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Despite Boldy’s powerful drive and Zegras’ flashy hands, it seemed like it was Turcotte’s quick playreading and crisp passing that made the most consistent impact. Los Angeles bit on his upside, taking him in the spot immediately ahead of Moritz Seider, Dylan Cozens, Philip Broberg, and Zegras. That’s a choice L.A. is likely kicking themselves for now, though Turcotte will at least have another chance to work towards NHL impact.
Well if the Kings should decide to trade him, this contract greases the wheels.
Just a suggestion you might want to do a little bit more research beyond looking at the box score and inform yourself and hopefully your audience as to why Turcotte has only played 126 games if you’re gonna claim the Kings are “kicking themselves”
You might actually be insane if you think they dont regret passing up on Seider.
IMO it’s too early to say they regret picking Turcotte, he’s 23 and has only played 32 NHL games.
Seider is a stud RHD dman already, though. Thats not a knock on Turcotte to say they would make that swap without thinking twice today.
I watched Turcotte a ton a the WJC. Loved him as a player. But he is definitely developmentally behind all of those guys right now. And I would listen to arguments on the others but Seider is a no doubter.
Not saying he’s not, he just wouldn’t have had the same opportunity in LA. Where would Seider of played, LD2? RD3?
Plus he probably would have been sent to Minnesota as part of the Fiala trade.
The kid doesn’t move the needle in the AHL, or the NHL… he’s injury prone, and is hesitant/timid in the corners and in front of the net… I’m ok w/a league minimum deal since he can be easily moved if he (yet again) can’t earn a spot (and keep it) on the Kings.
Wish we would’ve grabbed Cozens by a country mile over Turcotte.
#GoKings
Apparently you’re watching a different player in the AHL than I am but to each their own.
I’ve seen him play for Ontario 4-5 times and wasn’t impressed. No harm/no foul. Cheers…
He was mostly healthy last year. Another year of health this off season to bulk up! He needs to play!
Give him a chance at 4th line center next year!
If Turcotte finally reaches his potential, this could be a great bargain deal for the Kings.
Rooting for Alex Turcotte. His dad was my dad’s childhood hero playing for our hometown team in Europe. My dad and his friends still remember the line combinations from 30 years ago.