Kings Recall Jared Wright and Sign Him to Two-Year Extension

Overview

• The Los Angeles Kings recalled winger Jared Wright from the AHL’s Ontario Reign on Friday to replace veteran Mats Zuccarello, who was ruled out of the trip to Las Vegas with an undisclosed injury.
• Hours later on Saturday the club announced a two-year contract that begins next season and carries a $925,000 average annual value, locking in Wright as organizational depth.
• Wright is a 23-year-old sixth-round pick who developed at the University of Denver and produced 17 goals and 30 points in 54 AHL games last season while logging 23 NHL games in a bottom-six role.
• The extension gives the Kings a cheap, controllable option for short-term injury coverage but raises roster planning because Wright is roughly 33 games away from losing his waiver exemption if he reaches 60 NHL appearances.
• Coaches praise Wright’s speed, forechecking and energy, and he is expected to draw bottom-six minutes while up with the Kings with the team watching his usage to preserve the ability to move him between the NHL and AHL.