The St. Louis Blues made a move aimed at shaking up their forward depth, acquiring 25-year-old Akil Thomas from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for fellow forward Nikita Alexandrov. It’s a swap of two players who’ve shown they can produce in the AHL, and it could be a fresh start for both as they look to take the next step in their pro careers.
Let’s start with Thomas. He’s been a steady producer in the Kings’ system, putting up 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 19 games this season with the Ontario Reign.
But it’s his 2023-24 campaign that really turned heads - 22 goals, 24 assists, and 46 points in 64 games. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for a player who’s still just 25 and has logged 176 career AHL games, tallying 106 points along the way.
Thomas was a second-round pick back in 2018, and his junior numbers suggest there’s still untapped offensive upside. During his time in the OHL with the Niagara IceDogs and Peterborough Petes, the Toronto native racked up a staggering 315 points in 241 games.
That includes three seasons with 80-plus points and a 102-point breakout in 2018-19. He’s a player with vision, skill, and a track record of creating offense - now the question is whether he can translate that into a bigger role in the Blues’ organization.
On the flip side, Alexandrov heads to L.A. after a solid start to the season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he’s notched 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 18 games. Like Thomas, he’s 25, and he’s coming off a strong 2024-25 season where he posted 21 goals and 28 assists in just 48 AHL games. That kind of point-per-game pace is hard to ignore.
Alexandrov brings a bit more NHL experience to the table, having suited up in 51 games with the Blues over the past few seasons. He’s chipped in nine points (three goals, six assists) at the top level, and while those aren’t eye-popping numbers, they show he’s at least had a taste of what it takes to compete in the NHL.
A second-round pick in 2019, Alexandrov also had a productive junior career in the QMJHL with the Charlottetown Islanders. In 172 games, he totaled 146 points, showing a well-rounded offensive game that’s continued to develop in the pros. With 143 points in 188 AHL games, he’s proven he can be a reliable contributor in the minors - now it’s about finding the right fit to elevate his game further.
For the Blues, currently sitting at 9-11-7 and seventh in the Central Division, this trade is about looking for a spark. They’re hovering in that middle ground - not out of it, but not quite in the thick of the playoff hunt either. Adding a player like Thomas gives them another option with offensive upside and a chance to develop someone who may still have NHL potential.
It’s not a blockbuster by any means, but it’s a classic hockey trade - two players at similar stages in their careers, both looking for a new opportunity. And sometimes, that’s exactly what it takes to unlock the next level.