The St. Louis Blues made a move to shake up their forward depth, sending Nikita Alexandrov to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Akil Thomas. It’s a classic hockey trade: two players at similar stages in their careers, both looking to carve out more consistent NHL roles, get a fresh start with new organizations.
For the Blues, Thomas represents an intriguing addition. The 25-year-old forward, originally taken 51st overall by the Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft, has shown flashes of offensive upside throughout his time in the AHL.
This season with the Ontario Reign, he’s put up 13 points in 19 games - a solid pace that suggests he’s rounding into form. Over 176 career AHL games, Thomas has 106 points (50 goals, 56 assists), along with 76 penalty minutes.
He’s also had a taste of NHL action, appearing in 32 games for the Kings and notching seven points (four goals, three assists).
Now, he’ll report to the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, where he’ll look to make an impression and push for another NHL call-up. For a team like St. Louis that’s retooling on the fly and trying to build out quality depth, Thomas offers a mix of skill, speed, and experience that could prove valuable down the stretch - especially if injuries or inconsistency open up roster spots.
On the flip side, the Kings are getting a player in Alexandrov who, like Thomas, has been a steady contributor at the AHL level and has logged some NHL minutes. Drafted 62nd overall by the Blues in 2019, Alexandrov has spent six seasons with the organization, putting up 143 points (61 goals, 82 assists) in 188 AHL games. He’s also played 51 NHL games, tallying nine points (three goals, six assists) and 12 penalty minutes.
Alexandrov brings a physical edge and two-way awareness that could fit well in the Kings’ system. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable - the kind of player who can slide into a bottom-six role and give you honest minutes. For L.A., this is about adding a forward who might be a better stylistic fit for what they need right now.
In the end, this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward swap for both sides. Neither player has fully cemented themselves at the NHL level, but both have shown enough to keep teams interested.
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to unlock the next step. The Blues are betting that Akil Thomas can find that next gear in Springfield - and maybe, eventually, in St.
Louis.