Going into training camp this fall, the Los Angeles Kings have a few roster calls to sort out, and the arrival of new head coach Peter Laviolette only sharpens the spotlight on the younger players.
That’s what makes this camp such a big one for the Kings’ up-and-comers. Laviolette is trying to change the tone after another disappointing first-round postseason exit, and that opens the door for young players to make a real impression before the opening-night lineup is set.
There are several intriguing prospects and dark horses in the mix as position battles and preseason scrimmages unfold over the next couple of months. Three young Kings stand out as players to keep an eye on.
Alex Turcotte is one of them, and the pressure on him is less about making the team and more about showing he can do more once he’s there. The center has already proven he can handle himself as a bottom-six forward in the defensive zone, but the Kings are still waiting for him to bring more offense.
That next step is what’s at stake for Turcotte now. The former top five pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has not yet matched the expectations that followed him early in his career, but he has grown into a more complete player who can fill a bottom-six role at center.
His defensive game, versatility and energy have given him a solid NHL foundation. What remains to be seen is how much higher he can climb. If he can put together a strong offensive showing in training camp and the preseason, it could help convince Laviolette and the coaching staff that he deserves a bigger role this season.
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Kings Still Have One Huge Elias Pettersson Question
Elias Petterssons offseason presence in Los Angeles was enough to get the rumor mill spinning around the Kings again, especially with the club still looking for help down the middle. Any team with eyes on a top-six center is going to get mentioned in that kind of speculation, and Petterssons name naturally carries weight given the skill set and the fit he would represent if Vancouver ever entertained moving him.
For now, though, the noise appears to be louder than the actual market. The Kings still want to add at center, and Petterssons recent dip in production could keep him on their radar if the Canucks ever decide to listen, but there is no sign of an imminent deal. His time skating in Los Angeles was tied to the offseason and his wifes connection to the area, not some secret team session that might have hinted at a breakthrough. [Read more 🡒]
Why Cody Ceci Keeps Dividing Kings Fans After His Big Deal
Cody Ceci remains one of the more debated players on the Kings roster because his game is built around the kind of work that does not always jump out on a highlight reel. The right-shot defenseman is under a four-year deal that runs through 2028-29, and Los Angeles clearly paid for steadiness, penalty-kill value and a dependable defensive presence more than for offense or flash.
For Kings fans, that makes Ceci an easy player to appreciate in some moments and question in others. His reputation has long rested on being reliable and steady in his own end, but his offensive production and underlying numbers have often been ordinary or worse, which is why his contract keeps inviting a split reaction every time his name comes up. [Read more 🡒]