Tyler Wright watched his phone light up with a familiar name: Ken Holland. After months of uncertainty following his departure from the Edmonton Oilers, Wright suddenly had clarity about his future.
The Los Angeles Kings wanted him as their new Director of Player Personnel, reuniting him with the general manager who’d shaped much of his NHL career.
How Will Tyler Wright’s Hiring Impact the Kings’ Scouting Operation?
The Los Angeles Kings have officially hired Wright as their new Director of Player Personnel, marking another chapter in his long partnership with Holland. This move reunites the duo after Holland was recently named the Kings’ general manager following his departure from the Oilers earlier this summer.
Wright and Holland have now worked together in three different NHL cities: Detroit, Edmonton, and now Los Angeles. Their partnership stretches back over a decade and continues despite mixed reviews of Wright’s performance during previous tenures.
Tyler Wright, the ex Oilers head of scouting and also player personnel, is now working for Kings as director of player personnel under his old Oiler boss Ken Holland
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) August 1, 2025
This hiring comes after the Oilers and Wright mutually parted ways following the 2023 season. His time in Edmonton included a handful of draft picks that are still developing, but few have made a significant impact at the NHL level thus far.
What Does Wright’s Departure Mean for the Oilers’ Future?
The Edmonton Oilers are turning the page on their scouting approach. With Wright’s exit, the organization appointed Rick Pracey as the new Director of Amateur Scouting, signaling a fresh direction for player evaluation and development.
Pracey brings experience from his time with the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche, where he was instrumental in successful draft years. His most notable achievement came in 2009 when the Avalanche selected Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, and Tyson Barrie in a single draft class.
Meanwhile, Wright’s record in Edmonton presents a complicated picture. First-round picks like Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg have shown promise. Still, questions linger around selections such as Xavier Bourgault. Fans have debated whether better talent was available when those picks were made, though some argue it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions.
His earlier work in Detroit also drew mixed opinions from hockey analysts. Wright’s first draft pick there was Dylan Larkin, who became a cornerstone player for the Red Wings. However, several other first-round selections under his leadership struggled to make a significant NHL impact.
The success rate during his six-year stint in Detroit stood at just over 30%, with only 16 of 52 drafted players playing at least one NHL game. Despite this track record, Ken Holland continues to show confidence in Wright’s abilities.
Their reunion in Los Angeles isn’t shocking to those who’ve followed Holland’s career. He’s known for surrounding himself with familiar voices and trusted colleagues, regardless of external criticism about their performance.
For the Oilers, Wright’s departure could mark a positive shift in organizational philosophy. The new front office, led by Jeff Jackson, is looking to reshape the scouting department and bring fresh thinking to player evaluation. The hope is that new leadership will provide better results and deeper prospect development moving forward, giving Edmonton the pipeline it needs to support its championship window.
