The LA Kings and St. Louis Blues pulled off a one-for-one swap that’s all about opportunity and upside. The Kings have acquired forward Nikita Alexandrov in exchange for Akil Thomas, a move that feels less like a blockbuster and more like a mutual attempt to hit the reset button on two promising but still-unproven players.
A Classic Change-of-Scenery Trade
This is a straight-up exchange of two 25-year-old forwards, both drafted in the second round, both capable of playing center or wing, and both still trying to carve out a consistent role in the NHL. It’s the kind of trade that doesn’t make headlines but could quietly pay off for either side if the new environment clicks.
For Alexandrov, the move to Los Angeles offers a chance to crack an NHL roster that currently has a spot open, thanks to Drew Doughty landing on injured reserve. Whether Alexandrov steps into that vacancy or starts with the AHL’s Ontario Reign remains to be seen, but the opportunity is there.
He’s currently on a one-year, two-way deal that runs through the end of the 2025-26 season. He’s also right on the bubble in terms of his free agency status - if he plays in 29 NHL games this season, he’ll remain a restricted free agent.
If not, he hits the market as a Group 6 unrestricted free agent. So there’s some urgency here, both for Alexandrov and the Kings.
What the Kings Are Getting in Alexandrov
Alexandrov’s resume shows a player who’s been productive at the AHL level but hasn’t quite stuck in the NHL. Through 18 games this season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, he’s tied for the team lead with 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists). That follows a career-best year in 2024-25 when he posted 21 goals and 49 points - both good for second on the team - and showed he could be more than just a depth scorer.
He’s got some sandpaper to his game, too. Scouting reports describe him as a two-way forward who plays with physicality and draws penalties effectively. In limited NHL action - 51 games with the Blues - he’s posted 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists), but more importantly, he’s shown flashes of the kind of versatility coaches love in bottom-six roles.
He’s not likely to walk into a top-six spot in LA, and that’s fine. The Kings aren’t looking for a savior here - they’re looking for a guy who can contribute in multiple ways, bring energy, and maybe chip in offensively while rounding out the lineup. Alexandrov checks those boxes.
What the Blues Get in Akil Thomas
On the flip side, Akil Thomas heads to St. Louis in search of the same thing Alexandrov is chasing: a real shot at NHL consistency.
Thomas, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2018, has been a strong performer in the AHL with the Ontario Reign but hasn’t been able to lock down a permanent NHL spot. He was placed on waivers this fall and has spent the entire season in the AHL. Like Alexandrov, he’s versatile, skilled, and plays with some grit - but he’s been stuck in that “bubble player” category, just outside the everyday lineup.
There’s a chance Thomas finds more room to grow on a Blues team that’s in a bit of a transitional phase. He didn’t quite seize a spot in LA the way someone like Alex Turcotte did last season, but a new system and new coaching staff could unlock something that wasn’t quite clicking before.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Both Sides
This is the kind of deal that NHL front offices make when they believe a player just needs a different opportunity. Both forwards are at that pivotal 25-year-old mark - not prospects anymore, but not quite regulars either. That’s often the make-or-break age, and for both Alexandrov and Thomas, it hasn’t broken in their favor yet.
Neither team is taking on additional salary or term - both contracts carry the same NHL cap hit. It’s a clean swap, with the potential for one or both players to finally find their stride.
What’s Next?
The Kings have some decisions to make on Alexandrov’s immediate future. With only 19 healthy skaters and a roster spot open, there’s a chance he could be called into NHL duty soon. But if he starts in the AHL, he’ll have time to get acclimated with the Reign - they don’t play again until the weekend, giving him a few days to practice and settle in.
In the long run, Alexandrov’s path to NHL minutes will depend on whether he can bring more than just scoring. If he can continue to play a responsible two-way game, throw his weight around, and contribute on special teams, there’s a real shot for him in LA’s bottom six.
As for Thomas, he gets a fresh start in St. Louis - and sometimes, that’s all a player needs.
This isn’t a headline-grabber, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar move that can quietly shape a team’s depth down the stretch. Both players have the tools. Now it’s about putting them to use in a new jersey.