The 2019 NHL draft featured several top ten players who have experienced ups and downs in their careers. Unlike other previous drafts, many of these players have struggled with injuries or been traded away from their first teams at the beginning of their careers.
Kaapo Kakko was recently traded following the drama surrounding the New York Rangers, as the former second-round pick landed with the Seattle Kraken. Bowen Byram (fourth) is a Stanley Cup champion, traded to the Buffalo Sabres, and has had controversy issues from the start. Kirby Dach (third) was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Montreal Canadiens and has been injury prone.
Philip Broberg (eighth) struggled to break into Edmonton’s defensive lineup but began to show promise during the playoffs last season. After being exposed for handing out sheets, he is now a member of St. Louis Blues. Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras (ninth) has been the talk of the town his first few seasons but is now a major name in trade rumors. Similarly, Dylan Cozens (seventh) has been caught up in trade talks this season as Buffalo continues to struggle. Vasili Podkolzin (10th) spent three seasons in the KHL post-draft, and when he arrived in Vancouver, things did not go well. He is now with the Edmonton Oilers after being traded this past season.
Jack Hughes (first) remains a regular for the New Jersey Devils and an MVP-level player. He’s quick and smooth on skates, making him one of the best American-born players in the game. Moritz Seider (sixth) won the Calder Trophy with Detroit and is still a key player for his team’s future.
So, where does that leave Alex Turcotte (fifth)?
Turcotte has dealt with a number of injuries, been involved in trade talks, and played 110 games less than the next player in the top 10, Podkolzin, who played three seasons in St. In some circles in Los Angeles, he has been compared to Thomas Hickey, a far from flattering comparison.
For Turcotte, it’s time to block the noise, if he hasn’t already. He has arrived.
Like Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield, Turcotte is now enjoying consistent playing time, which has helped the development and breakout of Kempe and Byfield. Turcotte has always been strong and capable; he just tried to stay healthy.
Now that he’s finally put together the longest streak without injury at the professional level, he has an incredible opportunity to break out in Trevor Moore’s absence.
The trio of Turcotte, Anze Kopitar, and Kempe has become the Kings’ best line since being assembled in the Tri-State area. According to NaturalStatTrick, in 102:01 of ice time together, they have a Corsi percentage of 55.66% and a Fenwick percentage of 53.80%, outscoring opponents 9-3. They also have a 4-0 goals-against/high-danger average. Line numbers and calculations show that the question of the top line trio is solved.
Turcotte has recorded four points (2 goals, 2 assists, +2) in three games with his current lineup. In 24 games prior to the game against the Rangers, he registered 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 total points, with a +9 rating, while averaging less than 12 minutes of ice time per game. In comparison, his ice time in the game against New Jersey before his promotion was just 10:06. Since then, he has not played less than 16 minutes. Finally you get a chance to do more.
While in New Jersey, Turcotte spoke to THNLA about not needing to change his game and feeling like he belonged. He emphasized that “confidence” is a key factor in being a top player in the NHL and it was confirmed after the game against the Rangers.
This development forces managers to make difficult but necessary decisions. Usually, when players don’t perform well, they are moved or let go. For Turcotte his success could lead to another player sold from a power point. This situation is similar to the rise of Slava Voynov, which paved the way for the Jack Johnson-Jeff Carter trade, and the rest is history.
While the team isn’t in the same position as the 2011-12 Kings—they’re in the playoffs—they’re in a much better position as their top prospects transition into full-time NHL players and possibly more than just regulars.
Turcotte has given indications early on that he is determined to stay at the top. His game is similar to Byfield’s when he first joined the lineup in the 2022-23 season. Turcotte, like Byfield has the same high vision and speed associated with elite players, however possibly grittier by digging up pucks and making it easy for his teammates.
Alex Turcotte is a name that sounds familiar to fans of the NHL draft. At 23 he’s in danger of going from “watched” to “suspect,” but I think he’s about to break out playing with Kopitar and Kempe in LA.
A very hard working casual skater. A good fit in this line. pic.twitter.com/YA8z7alsfe
— Jack Han (@JhanHky) December 16, 2024
The Kings have dealt with a significant number of injuries to top players over the past five years, which has stunted their growth (see Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, Akil Thomas, Turcotte, Byfield, and Arthur Kaliyev). This change of fortune is exactly what the franchise needs, especially since so many assets have been wasted or mismanaged.
Turcotte’s emergence causes another player to be pushed from the lineup, and Moore’s return will inevitably lead to changes in the lineup. These decisions are challenging, but managers must proceed with tact. The benefits are starting to materialize, and promising times are ahead for the Los Angeles Kings now that their fifth overall pick is in a good position to take the next step.
