Kings sign forward Alex Turcotte to three-year contract extension (AAV: $775,000)

The LA Kings have announced a player signing this afternoon, agreeing to terms to forward Alex Turcotte on a contract extension.

Turcotte’s contract is a three-year contract, carrying an AAV of $775,000. It is a two-way deal for the 2024-24 season and a one-way deal in years two and three. Turcotte was in the mix for the 2023-24 LA Kings and put together his strongest stretch of NHL games, although he wound up making more of an impact at the AHL level with the Ontario Reign, as a key part of a team that won two playoff rounds. The Kings are hopeful to see him turn that impact towards the NHL moving forward, with a three-year term on this deal showing faith in a player who the Kings expect to make the jump. More on Turcotte below.

Instant Analysis
Turcotte played in 20 games with the Kings this season and I think he showed that he can play at the NHL level. The question is, in what capacity and on what basis. Kings management has highlighted Turcotte on multiple occasions as a player who they expect to make the jump to the NHL level on a full-time basis next season. At the very least, he’ll have a great chance during training camp to earn a regular spot. We saw a ton of energy from Turcotte, a player who was responsible defensively and a player who showcased enough versatility to play in a variety of different places in the lineup. Going forward what needs to be determined is can he do all of those things for 82 games throughout the grind of an NHL season and in what role can he do them.

The strongest element of Turcotte’s game last season, I felt, was his energy and forechecking. Among Kings forwards, statistically speaking, he was one of the best at recovering loose pucks in the offensive zone, particularly in contested battle situations. Turcotte isn’t the biggest guy on the ice but he’s willing to do some of that dirtier work. With that comes a price, though, and Turcotte has certainly had his injury issues. Especially if he’s slotted lower in the lineup, he’s going to need to continue to do those things going forward and he’ll have to stay healthy throughout the course of doing them.

I personally see Turcotte as a center in the long run but he can play on the wing as well. His individual offensive numbers were on the lower-end for Kings forwards last season, but in his 20 games, the Kings as a whole created enough offense when Turcotte was on the ice. He was most often used lower in the lineup for the most part. In some games, his ice time was the lowest among Kings forwards. So, he had four points from 20 games, including just the one goal in Nashville, but he wasn’t exactly put into offensive positions either. As of now, I’d wager that Turcotte is likely penciled into the opening-night lineup. Exactly where, we’ll have to wait and see with how the rest of the lineup comes together. The Kings have just six forwards currently signed who are for sure to be with the club next season, plus now Turcotte and Thomas. This is Turcotte’s time to make the jump and it’s up to him to do it.

Regarding the contract, three years is a bit of a strange term to give out for a league-minimum deal, but it does have some mutual benefit. The $775,000 salary-cap hit puts Turcotte at the league minimum, which makes his deal more appealing against the salary cap. He’s also got two years guaranteed at a one-way rate, which gives him security. Should he have a breakout season, he’s leaving a bit of money on the table, but it also protects him financially against injuries and we know he’s had those throughout his professional career. Ideally, Turcotte outperforms this contract and continues his progression towards a regular, NHL contributor.

From the team’s official release –

Turcotte, 23, split the 2023-24 campaign between the Kings and the Ontario Reign, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Turcotte made his season debut for the Kings on Jan. 28 in St. Louis and recorded both his first career NHL goal and assist on Jan. 31 in Nashville to mark his first career multi-point game in the league. The 5-11, 185-pound forward tallied 29 points (10-19=29) in 35 regular-season games with the Reign with a plus-8 rating. He was one of nine Reign skaters to hit double digits in goals while his 0.83 points-per-game ranked fifth among all team skaters (min. GP: 30). Turcotte added a pair of goals and assists (2-2=4) in eight 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs contests.

Originally selected by the Kings in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Turcotte began his professional career with the Reign in 2020-21 and has accumulated 28 goals and 57 assists for 85 points (28-57=85) in 126 games over parts of four seasons. In 13 career postseason contests, Turcotte has collected two goals and seven points (2-5=7). Since making his NHL debut on Dec. 28, 2021, Turcotte has four points (1-3=4) in 32 games for the Kings.

Prior to turning pro, Turcotte spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) from 2017-19 where he registered 125 points (45-80=125) in 95 games between the Under-17 and Under-18 teams. In 2018-19, his 1.68 points-per-game ranked second among all skaters while his 80 career helpers are tied for 15th in program history all-time. Following his time with the NTDP, Turcotte played one season of college hockey at the University of Wisconsin (Big-10), tallying nine goals and 26 points (9-17=26) in 29 games, the third-most on the team.

A native of Elk Grove, Ill., Turcotte has represented Team USA at four separate IIHF tournaments, playing in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship in 2018 and 2019 as well as the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2020 and 2021. At the U-18 level, he helped bring home a silver medal in 2018 and a bronze medal in 2019. Serving as an alternate captain at the U-20 World Championship in Alberta in 2021, Turcotte notched eight points (3-5=8) in seven contests and scored the championship-winning goal to capture a gold medal against Canada.