Alex Turcotte was the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings and had 100 career NHL games entering this season. He hasn't been able to deliver like a Top 6 forward to this point in his career, and he may not. However, at the end of last season and into this season he has been very productive on the fourth line that warrants at least a discussion about more ice time.
Through four games this season, Turcotte has only one assist, but also hasn't seen the ice much with an average of 7:42 per game. However, some of the advanced metrics tell a different story of a player who has been effective with the time he has gotten and could make an impact with more time on the ice.
This season, Turcotte is leading the Kings in Corsi For % at 63.2% which is a 10-point jump from last season. The Kings clearly are a better team with him on the ice, and according to MoneyPuck, he leads the team in On-Ice Expected Goals % at 74.1%.
Could Alex Turcotte get the chance to show the LA Kings he deserves an expanded role against the Penguins?
The former first-round pick might not have to wait much longer to get more ice time and it could come as early as tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Anze Kopitar is dealing with a lower-body injury and Zach Dooley with LA Kings Insider considered him a game-time decision.
If Kopitar is not able to go, the Kings could shuffle their lines by moving Quinton Byfield up to the top line and have Turcotte play on the second line with Kevin Fiala and Joel Armia or Alex Laferriere.
However, if Kopitar is able to go, more minutes could be in the near future, with Corey Perry appearing to get closer to returning. The Kings were expected to have a more veteran fourth line with Armia and Perry, but the injury has shortened the rotation for Jim Hiller.
Regardless of how this plays out, Turcotte has been very productive with the minutes he has gotten and made a strong case for more moving forward.