Prospect Info: 5th Overall Pick, Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP UPDATED: Signs 3 Year ELC 3/11/20

[RocketKing]

If you're Turcotte sitting there and you just saw how well they handled Gabe and where he's progressed to be it seems like you'd really pick with signing. LA handled him just about as well as you could given what he brought and now he's broken into the League. Seems like the best move for him.

 

[DoktorJeep]

You read a lot about how much pressure Turcotte puts on himself when discussing some of the lows he experienced this season.

That kind of player would be served better by an environment which is 100% hockey focused 24/7. The pro lifestyle and schedule should provide the outlets necessary to turning that inward thinking into applying himself at a real job.

And getting out of the NCAA bubble where he is a big fish in a small pond, into the AHL / NHL would take some external pressure off related to team success. If the Reign and Kings are low ranked teams next year in the standings is almost a given, so the top six ice time should be there at both levels for a full season.

A season of Turcotte and Kupari on the same line could pay off in a major way 2 years from now.

 

[kings11]

You read a lot about how much pressure Turcotte puts on himself when discussing some of the lows he experienced this season.

That kind of player would be served better by an environment which is 100% hockey focused 24/7. The pro lifestyle and schedule should provide the outlets necessary to turning that inward thinking into applying himself at a real job.

And getting out of the NCAA bubble where he is a big fish in a small pond, into the AHL / NHL would take some external pressure off related to team success. If the Reign and Kings are low ranked teams next year in the standings is almost a given, so the top six ice time should be there at both levels for a full season.

A season of Turcotte and Kupari on the same line could pay off in a major way 2 years from now.

Nah, Kupari is going to get low minutes to minimize any risk when he returns...
Buuuuuuut...
Fagemo-Kupari-Thomas

 

[regulate]

Nah, Kupari is going to get low minutes to minimize any risk when he returns...
Buuuuuuut...
Fagemo-Kupari-Thomas

I'd really love it if the Kings/Reign get off the Kupari at Center bandwagon. The team wasted 2 years trying to fit Kempe into a position he did not excel at. I hope they don't do the same with Kupari. Yes, maybe it's too early to give up on that, since he was only 19 and played less than 1/2 a pro season. But the initial returns are he doesn't think the game fast enough, and his vision is not high level (it's not bad, just not elite) to play center. He had 2 assists in 27 games in the AHL centering one of the top 3 lines (was usually on the top 2). Maybe they give it another go next year, but I'd really like to see them put him on RW and see how he does. Not as much defensive responsibility (he wasn't very good last year defensively at all), he can play his game and see if he prospers.

 

[kings11]

I'd really love it if the Kings/Reign get off the Kupari at Center bandwagon. The team wasted 2 years trying to fit Kempe into a position he did not excel at. I hope they don't do the same with Kupari. Yes, maybe it's too early to give up on that, since he was only 19 and played less than 1/2 a pro season. But the initial returns are he doesn't think the game fast enough, and his vision is not high level (it's not bad, just not elite) to play center. He had 2 assists in 27 games in the AHL centering one of the top 3 lines (was usually on the top 2). Maybe they give it another go next year, but I'd really like to see them put him on RW and see how he does. Not as much defensive responsibility (he wasn't very good last year defensively at all), he can play his game and see if he prospers.

If Kupari was healthy I would have slotted him on Maddens(should he turn pro) LW..
Fagemo-Tucotte-Thomas
Kupari-Madden-Luff
Dudas-JAD-XXXX

 

[Statto]

On a contending team, yeah I think Kempe is a third liner who can move up in a pinch.

Which is more or less what I expected. I recall that the question was always about if he’d be prolific enough to be a genuine top six winger. I don’t think he’s reached his offensive ceiling by any means but I do think ‘middle six’ is about right and is consistent with my expectations.

 

[Statto]

I'd really love it if the Kings/Reign get off the Kupari at Center bandwagon. The team wasted 2 years trying to fit Kempe into a position he did not excel at. I hope they don't do the same with Kupari. Yes, maybe it's too early to give up on that, since he was only 19 and played less than 1/2 a pro season. But the initial returns are he doesn't think the game fast enough, and his vision is not high level (it's not bad, just not elite) to play center. He had 2 assists in 27 games in the AHL centering one of the top 3 lines (was usually on the top 2). Maybe they give it another go next year, but I'd really like to see them put him on RW and see how he does. Not as much defensive responsibility (he wasn't very good last year defensively at all), he can play his game and see if he prospers.

I agree he will end up at wing but some time at C will definitely help his all around game. I think playing at C helped Kempe develop into a better all around player. I think it’s better to do that type of development in the AHL but I can see why they might take that approach.

Playing C will make him ‘think a better game’ and learn a better all around defensive game and then maybe it pays off and it really clicks. If not I don’t think it hurts his development as a winger. How long they give it is the question for me.

 

[kings11]

Which is more or less what I expected. I recall that the question was always about if he’d be prolific enough to be a genuine top six winger. I don’t think he’s reached his offensive ceiling by any means but I do think ‘middle six’ is about right and is consistent with my expectations.

I was expecting Nino Niederreiter/Chris Kreider but i'm not so sure now.. He's been minimizing his mistakes under TMac so maybe year 2 will yield even better results.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I was expecting Nino Niederreiter/Chris Kreider but i'm not so sure now.. He's been minimizing his mistakes under TMac so maybe year 2 will yield even better results.

Kempe's numbers on a bad offensive team are right in line with Neidereiter's at the same age and really for his career minus two 50-point seasons, and same goes for Kreider.

 

[Statto]

I was expecting Nino Niederreiter/Chris Kreider but i'm not so sure now.. He's been minimizing his mistakes under TMac so maybe year 2 will yield even better results.

I agree, we all saw how much he struggled initially this season, however since he’s got to his groove under the new system he’s been outstanding and consistently one of our best players. I like how his game is looking and if he continues on a consistent basis he will be a key player for us going forward.

 

[kings11]

Kempe's numbers on a bad offensive team are right in line with Neidereiter's at the same age and really for his career minus two 50-point seasons, and same goes for Kreider.

I looked up those stats and he had an earlier start to his career than either so his development was cut short. His bad decision making could have been a result of that but also bad coaching. I think we'll get a better idea of the player he'll be next season, when he's had a full season of Mac's tutelage.

 

[kings11]

I agree, we all saw how much he struggled initially this season, however since he’s got to his groove under the new system he’s been outstanding and consistently one of our best players. I like how his game is looking and if he continues on a consistent basis he will be a key player for us going forward.

he's on the cusp of being a yearly 20/20 guy..

 

[Statto]

I agree, we all saw how much he struggled initially this season, however since he’s got to his groove under the new system, and moved to LW, he’s been outstanding and consistently one of our best players. I like how his game is looking and if he continues on a consistent basis he will be a key player for us going forward. TMac has definitely been a good coach for him.

 

[regulate]

I agree, we all saw how much he struggled initially this season, however since he’s got to his groove under the new system he’s been outstanding and consistently one of our best players. I like how his game is looking and if he continues on a consistent basis he will be a key player for us going forward.

He playing better, he often passes the eye test, but he still only has 1 goal and is -9 in his last 23 games. At some point results are important. He does have 11 assists, so that has picked up, 6 of those are on the 1st unit PP where he gets regular time. But in the end, that's 1 goal and 5 assists at even strength in 23 games. The goal droughts he's experienced his entire pro career make him to more likely be a 3rd line guy than a 2nd, unless that turns around at some point to be more consistent. So far that has not been the case.

 

[KINGS17]

Kempe's numbers on a bad offensive team are right in line with Neidereiter's at the same age and really for his career minus two 50-point seasons, and same goes for Kreider.

Guys like Kempe are one of the reasons the Kings are a bad offensive team. At some point it is on the players who aren't putting enough of their chances in the net.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Guys like Kempe are one of the reasons the Kings are a bad offensive team. At some point it is on the players who aren't putting enough of their chances in the net.

lol. What a non sequitur. Pointing out he's literally scoring the same as young top sixers on better offensive teams, and you come in with this?

Edit: ooohhh I see. You're committed to the bit from the previous pages. Never mind, carry on.

You just said he was a third liner. Are you blaming the third line for the offense, when Kempe is on the verge of being a 40 point guy? Or are you contradicting yourself and saying he's more? Go ahead, we're all ears.

 

[crassbonanza]

He playing better, he often passes the eye test, but he still only has 1 goal and is -9 in his last 23 games. At some point results are important. He does have 11 assists, so that has picked up, 6 of those are on the 1st unit PP where he gets regular time. But in the end, that's 1 goal and 5 assists at even strength in 23 games. The goal droughts he's experienced his entire pro career make him to more likely be a 3rd line guy than a 2nd, unless that turns around at some point to be more consistent. So far that has not been the case.

I think Kempe is going to really benefit from the change in playstyle/personnel. Since the Colorado outdoor game when the Kings really began overhauling the roster/lines, Kempe has 5 points in 7 games.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The thing is, I'm not sure where these elevated expectations for Kempe came from. He was a late 1st for a reason, a toolsy but inconsistent player who can contribute. I remember some people going a little overboard and saying he COULD be the 1C of the future, but that was a minority. Not sure where all this crapping on a guy who is--at absolute worst--a good third liner ALREADY and hardly done developing is coming from especially given the timing. If he ends up 20-20 that's a success, like Pearson and Toffoli, much to the chagrin of this forum who seems to think every first round pick gets 50+ points apparently?

When Kempe settles in on this team he'll be a guy, not THE guy. Having someone who can play all situations, speed up and down the wing, contribute grit and good-not-great production is the ultimate middle sixer.

 

[KINGS17]

lol. What a non sequitur. Pointing out he's literally scoring the same as young top sixers on better offensive teams, and you come in with this?

Edit: ooohhh I see. You're committed to the bit from the previous pages. Never mind, carry on.

You just said he was a third liner. Are you blaming the third line for the offense, when Kempe is on the verge of being a 40 point guy? Or are you contradicting yourself and saying he's more? Go ahead, we're all ears.

No, he is a third-liner, and some thought he may be more. Unfortunately, Kempe isn't a big enough offensive threat to be a top six.

Tell me, which players are the reason the Kings are a poor offensive team? It never seems to be the players in your book.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

No, he is a third-liner, and some thought he may be more. Unfortunately, Kempe isn't a big enough offensive threat to be a top six.

Tell me, which players are the reason the Kings are a poor offensive team? It never seems to be the players in your book.

It's a lack of personnel and players being miscast, not one player being a 'reason.' Expecting Kempe to be a 60-70 point guy to 'fix' the problem is the problem. You need to draft or trade for someone to fill that slot appropriately. Then, a rising tide raises all boats, guys start getting more assists, etc.

Personally I think we need more offense from the back end, and the true 2C and couple more top six wingers we need should be on the way.

Plus, in previous years, lots of it was systematic, you've seen the "kings offense tax" in action, but some guys never shook it off after Sutter. The guys that have become the problems relative to who they used to be are guys like Carter. Still effective, but his 'slot' needed replacing.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Do some seriously not understand that we really lucked out with Kempe at the end of the 1st round.

Not many players who were picked after him have become better NHL players, countable on one hand.

When he was playing in Sweden, I constantly said he would become a great 3rd liner.

I also remember the posters who wanted him out after a slow start. Obviously now nowhere to be seen anymore.

 

[LAKings88]

It's a lack of personnel and players being miscast, not one player being a 'reason.' Expecting Kempe to be a 60-70 point guy to 'fix' the problem is the problem. You need to draft or trade for someone to fill that slot appropriately. Then, a rising tide raises all boats, guys start getting more assists, etc.

Personally I think we need more offense from the back end, and the true 2C and couple more top six wingers we need should be on the way.

Plus, in previous years, lots of it was systematic, you've seen the "kings offense tax" in action, but some guys never shook it off after Sutter. The guys that have become the problems relative to who they used to be are guys like Carter. Still effective, but his 'slot' needed replacing.

I still think Sutter recognized the lack of finish in LAs players and built a system that could shut down and steamroll. Offense came from that. Still needed boost from Carter and then Gaborik. They have sacrificed offense for system but I think it is a symbiotic relationship if that makes sense at all.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I still think Sutter recognized the lack of finish in LAs players and built a system that could shut down and steamroll. Offense came from that. Still needed boost from Carter and then Gaborik. They have sacrificed offense for system but I think it is a symbiotic relationship if that makes sense at all.

I half agree.

The 2014 Kings roster in particular was pretty effing monstrous from a talent perspective. But I agree in that a lot of it was well-reputed defensive-first and two-way guys, with very few BIG offensive contributors from elsewhere (like Gaborik). It was a good system for that.

I said frequently that Stoll as an example was easily 'replaceable' from a talent standpoint but not from a two-way and intangibles standpoint and we quickly arrived at that half-measure where the roster had 'better' players than Stoll, Greene, Regehr but was clearly worse. We went from a team comfortable locking down a close game and ok with scoring 1-2 goals because they were always in it until the end to a team that had to outscore their problems, didn't have the talent to do so, and got blown out frequently in comparison.

We are barely transitioning out of that zone now

 

[Statto]

He playing better, he often passes the eye test, but he still only has 1 goal and is -9 in his last 23 games. At some point results are important. He does have 11 assists, so that has picked up, 6 of those are on the 1st unit PP where he gets regular time. But in the end, that's 1 goal and 5 assists at even strength in 23 games. The goal droughts he's experienced his entire pro career make him to more likely be a 3rd line guy than a 2nd, unless that turns around at some point to be more consistent. So far that has not been the case.

Quite. However, when I say he’s been great I’m talking within context of his role. When assessing him as a 3rd liner who is a positive influence even if not scoring, I think he’s been good. As I said previously if he finds consistency offensively then even better.

 

[Scottkmlps]

How did a Turcotte thread become about Kempe?