39 Alex Turcotte C

According to general manager Rob Blake, Turcotte is considered week-to-week with his lower-body issue, John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reports.

Once cleared, the plan is for Turcotte to skate on his own for a week before being assigned to AHL Ontario. The fifth overall pick from the 2019 draft clearly isn't expected to have a major role with the Kings in 2020-21, but it still wouldn't be surprising to see him make his NHL debut at some point this season.

Turcotte is considered week-to-week after sustaining a lower-body injury, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.

Turcotte was likely pushing for a spot in the lineup for Opening Night against the Wild on Thursday but will not have to miss a minimum of the next two games based on the team's timeline. Once healthy, Turcotte should push for the third-line center role over Michael Amadio or Quinton Byfield.

Turcotte will take a private chartered flight from the IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton directly to Los Angeles, Bob McKenzie of TSN of TSN.

Turcotte will be joined on the plane by five other prospects of both the Kings and Ducks who competed in the World Juniors. The hope is that the private flight will allow the players to have a shortened (or non-existent) quarantine period -- which is mandated by the NHL -- and allow them to join their clubs right away for training camp. Turcotte recorded three goals and five assists in seven games for Team USA after managing just two points in five contests last year.

Kings GM Rob Blake said Wednesday that Turcotte isn't expected to play more than seven NHL games this year, John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reports.

Blake sounds determined to get the 19-year-old center a few games with the big club, but he's doesn't favor burning a year off the Turcotte's entry-level contract this season. The fifth-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Turcotte lived up to expectations last season and rang up 26 points over 29 games at the University of Wisconsin. It appears he could spend a bulk of the 2020-21 campaign with AHL Ontario.

Turcotte terminated his loan stint with the Berlin Eisbaren on Friday.

With the DEL season still up in the air, Turcotte will return to Los Angeles to continue training ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. The 19-year-old center should be in the mix for a spot on the 23-man roster this year, likely in a bottom-six role, though he could certainly challenge for a bigger role during the year.

The Kings loaned Turcotte to Eisbaren Berlin of Germany's DEL on Tuesday, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.

Turcotte spent the 2019-20 campaign at the University of Wisconsin, racking up nine goals and 26 points in 29 games. The fifth overall pick from the 2019 draft signed his entry-level deal shortly after the collegiate season ended in March, so he'll be turning pro in 2020-21, but he'll likely begin the campaign with AHL Ontario. Still, the 19-year-old pivot remains a valuable asset in dynasty formats.

The Kings signed Turcotte to a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday.

Having recently wrapped up his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin, Turcotte will join AHL Ontario for practice Thursday. The 19-year-old forward tallied nine goals and 26 points in 29 collegiate contests after he was selected fifth overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Turcotte should compete for a spot on the NHL squad next season.