Alex Turcotte has returned to full practice with the Kings after being placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. His return could help a struggling Los Angeles team short on healthy forwards, though there’s no timetable for when he’ll play.

By the Numbers
  • Los Angeles is 4-7-2 through 13 games, last in the Pacific Division with 10 points.
  • The Kings have scored 36 goals, 28th in the NHL, and their 9.9% shooting rate is below the 11.5% league average.
  • Their penalty kill is converting at 61.5%, the league’s worst rate.
  • Turcotte has 13 goals and 44 points in 165 career NHL games.
Yes, But

Turcotte’s return to practice is an encouraging step, not confirmation that he’s ready to play. The Kings also have other key forwards unavailable, including Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Fiala, while Adrian Kempe is day-to-day.

State of Play
  • Turcotte last skated with the team before going on injured reserve October 10; he had been skating on his own in recent days.
  • Before his injury, he centered Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore on the second line.
  • Los Angeles has opened Peter Laviolette’s first season with six straight losses and is also adjusting to Anze Kopitar’s retirement.
What’s Next

The Kings play the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, but Turcotte’s availability for that game is unknown. If he returns to his previous role, he’ll have a chance to add depth and help address the team’s scoring shortage.

Bottom Line

Turcotte’s progress offers a potential boost for a depleted Kings lineup, but practice alone won’t solve the team’s problems: Los Angeles needs healthier forwards and better scoring and penalty-killing results.