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Jared Wright helps Kings unearth needed scoring depth

April 8, 2026

As they prepare for the bottom-dwelling Vancouver Canucks and continue to chase their fifth straight playoff berth, the Kings may finally have something that’s eluded them all season: scoring depth.

Up until Monday’s critical win over the Nashville Predators, 45 of 53 goals scored since the Olympic break by forwards still with the team came from the Kings’ top six. While the impact of Artemi Panarin in the top trio and resurgence of Quinton Byfield on the second line were welcome sights, only trade deadline addition Scott Laughton had it rolling in the bottom six.

Yet in the most vital matchup of the campaign, it was the third line coming through with both of the Kings’ goals. Rookie Jared Wright set up Laughton’s marker with a burst of speed followed by a deft dish, and had the last Kings touch on the puck before Joel Armia’s technically unassisted tally.

Wright racked up three primary assists in his past three games and all four of his helpers since his March 2 debut have been of the primary variety.

“He just skates and he makes plays,” said interim coach D.J. Smith of Wright. “Off the rush, his speed is intimidating. Some guys are physical on the forecheck, which he will do, but with his speed, he looks like he’s about to get a breakaway at all times. He tracks pucks down, and he’s found ways to make some big plays for us.”

Wright came from the same program as second-liner Trevor Moore, the University of Denver. He went to the national semifinal twice and won an NCAA title in 2024, scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-0 triumph over Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Boston College.

“Playing in two Frozen Fours and a national championship has helped me a lot,” said Wright of his rapid adjustment to the NHL level. “Our leaders and having such an easy group to lean on here, I’m just really lucky coming up here with such great leadership.

Prior to the Olympic break, the combination of Kevin Fiala and Andrei Kuzmenko was spearheading the Kings’ attack. Fiala broke his leg in Milan and Kuzmenko tore his meniscus in the first game back after the pause. Smith told reporters at practice Wednesday that Kuzmenko was progressing in his rehab and would be reevaluated near the end of the regular season.

Those absences as well as numerous departures via trade and free agency – Vladislav Gavrikov, Jordan Spence, Phillip Danault, Warren Foegele and Corey Perry all donned new sweaters since late June – have given the Kings more than their share of upheaval this season. That’s not to mention a new general manager over the summer and a coaching change last month.

Yet their opponents Thursday might have them beat for tumult and turbulence. The trade of J.T. Miller last season, the ongoing injuries to Thatcher Demko, the poor-value performance of Elias Pettersson and the forced hand in dealing all-world defenseman Quinn Hughes would be the shortest summation of what has hindered the Canucks in recent months.

They’ve felt the impact in the standings, too, where they have 18 fewer points than any other NHL team and have secured the highest odds in the upcoming draft lottery. The Kings have already beaten Vancouver twice this season and will face them a fourth time in Vancouver for the penultimate game of the campaign April 14.

Vancouver at Kings

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: FDSN West

Orange County Register

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Jared Wright helps Kings unearth needed scoring depth

Vancouver at Kings

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