We have some positive news to pass along regarding Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte, as both of the Kings prospects prepare for their next steps toward a return to actual game action.
When it comes to Turcotte, originally selected at the 2019 NHL Draft, his health and well being continue to be top priority. Life away from the rink will always be far more important than what happens on the ice. However, after visiting with multiple doctors – including a top specialist in Utah – things continue to trend in the right direction for the 21-year-old forward.
After we first reported Turcotte would be returning to practice about three weeks ago, he has shown steady improvement. From what we’re hearing now, he is on the brink of being cleared for game action.
During his recent visit to Kings Of The Podcast, Kings GM Rob Blake talked in detail about Turcotte’s situation, noting — “He’s been dealing with the concussion injury that was sustained at the end of last year…” before going on to say that the young center had been doing better over the summer, then suffered a setback prior to Training Camp.
Turcotte recently returned to practice with the Ontario Reign and was wearing a tinted visor; something that is believed to help reduce bright lights that can bother players returning from a concussion. When he eventually suits up for a game again, it will mark his first AHL competition since May 2022.
Meanwhile, we have also gathered a few tidbits on the status of fellow prized prospect Quinton Byfield. After being a late scratch on Thursday, October 27 vs. Tampa Bay, the 20-year-old center has been sidelined with what has been described as flu-like symptoms. To date, he’s now missed five games with the Kings… and Saturday vs. Florida will be game six.
Byfield is set to resume skating imminently, following some light off-ice activity the past few days. Of further interest is the possibility of what will come next. From what we understand, a conditioning assignment with the Ontario Reign is not out of the question. While, technically, it would not be an official ‘conditioning assignment’ because he is waiver exempt (meaning he can flow freely, moving up/down between the AHL and NHL as often as needed), that’s essentially what it would be.
Last season, Byfield split time between the two leagues coming off an ankle injury in September 2021. Once recovered, he joined the Reign in December and played 11 games for Ontario before his eventual recall to Los Angeles. Over the second-half of last season, the 6-foot-5 forward recorded 10 points (5G, 5A) in 40 regular season games with the Kings and then went on to play in a pair of games during LA’s post-season series vs. Edmonton.
Through eight NHL games played with the Kings this season, Byfield has three assists.
UPDATE – NOVEMBER 6: Early Sunday, the Kings officially assigned Byfield to AHL Ontario. After completing a two-game series in Colorado over the weekend, the Reign return to the ice this coming Thursday in San Jose.
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