Christmas Came Early: Los Angeles Kings biggest gifts of the season

Dec 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates after scoring a goal with center Anze Kopitar (11) and center Alex Turcotte (15) during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates after scoring a goal with center Anze Kopitar (11) and center Alex Turcotte (15) during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Alex Turcotte

The final player on this list is Alex Turcotte, who has seemingly had an equally impressive start to the season and is someone who has played his way into more ice time. The former fifth overall pick has moved around the lines this season but appears to have found a home on the top line next to Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.

He has stepped in after the injury to Trevor Moore and in the past three games has had two goals and two assists. He has not been a regular contributor for the Kings and last season played only 20 games and had only four points so the fact that he matched that total in just three games shows how much he has improved just compared to last season.

Alex Turcotte has created a problem for Jim Hiller, a good problem but a problem still the less. Once Trevor Moore is ready to return from injury, does Moore return to that spot with Kopitar and Kempe or does he leave Turcotte? The results show he should leave Turcotte but it creates a ripple effect for the other lines which the Kings coach may want to avoid.

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