NHL Notebook: Blues and Kings Swap Forwards, Major Injuries Hit Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, and Stars
In a week where the Vancouver Canucks continue to navigate one of the most injury-riddled seasons in the league, the rest of the NHL hasn’t been spared either. From significant trades to major injury updates, there’s plenty to unpack across the league.
Let’s dive into the latest around the NHL.
Blues, Kings Pull the Trigger on Change-of-Scenery Trade
The St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings made a low-key but intriguing swap of 25-year-old forwards, with Akil Thomas heading to St. Louis in exchange for Nikita Alexandrov.
Thomas, a second-round pick by the Kings back in 2018 (51st overall), has had a career defined by flashes of promise interrupted by injuries. After two standout seasons in the OHL, he made the jump to the AHL in 2020-21. But since turning pro, staying healthy has been the biggest hurdle - he’s played just 157 of a possible 288 games over four seasons.
That said, when Thomas is on, he’s shown he can be productive. His best stretch came in 2023-24 with the Ontario Reign, where he put up 22 goals and 46 points in 64 games. That earned him a look in the NHL - and he made the most of it, scoring three goals and four points in seven games.
But that momentum didn’t carry over. In 2024-25, Thomas struggled to lock down a bottom-six role with the Kings, eventually becoming a regular healthy scratch. He finished the year with just one goal and three points in 25 NHL games, averaging under 10 minutes a night and posting a minus-four rating.
This season, he’s been back in the AHL with the Reign, where he’s posted 13 points (4G, 9A) in 19 games. Now, he gets a fresh start with the Blues organization and will report to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.
On the flip side, Alexandrov - also a second-rounder, taken 62nd overall in 2019 - brings a different profile. The German-born center had a strong junior career in the QMJHL and has been a steady presence in the AHL since turning pro. He saw NHL action in 2022-23, playing 28 games and putting up seven points, but couldn’t build on that the following year, managing just two assists in 23 games in 2023-24.
While Alexandrov hasn’t cracked the NHL lineup this season, he’s been highly productive in the AHL. He finished last year with 49 points in 48 games, and is off to a solid start in 2025-26 with 14 points (3G, 11A) through 18 games.
This is a classic “change of scenery” deal - two players with potential, both looking to prove they can take that next step and become full-time NHL contributors. Sometimes, all it takes is a new jersey and a fresh opportunity.
Injury Roundup: Key Players Sidelined Across the League
Injuries are piling up across the NHL, and several teams are now facing major lineup challenges heading into the heart of the season.
Adam Fox (New York Rangers)
The Rangers took a big hit on the blue line, placing Adam Fox on long-term injured reserve after he was hurt during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 29. The injury occurred after a hit along the end boards by Brandon Hagel, with Fox appearing to favor his left arm before exiting the game and not returning.
Fox, 27, had been one of the few bright spots in a Rangers offense that’s struggled to find consistency. Through 23 games, he had already racked up 26 points (3G, 23A) while averaging nearly 24 minutes per game. His absence leaves a massive hole on the back end - both in terms of minutes and puck-moving ability - and there’s no clear timeline yet for his return.
Kyle Palmieri (New York Islanders)
Tough news for the Islanders, as veteran forward Kyle Palmieri is expected to miss 6-8 months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL. The injury happened during a game against the Flyers, and while the moment could’ve ended there, Palmieri had one more play left in him.
Despite being in visible pain after a collision in the corner, Palmieri managed to get to his feet and head toward the bench. But on the way there, he spotted Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae with the puck, lifted his stick, and dished a backhand saucer pass that led to a goal sequence finished by Emil Heineman. It was a moment that perfectly captured the grit and instinct that Palmieri brings to the ice - even when injured, he found a way to make an impact.
At 34, Palmieri was enjoying one of the best scoring paces of his career, with 18 points (6G, 12A) in 25 games - a 0.72 point-per-game clip. Whether he returns this season remains to be seen, but if the recovery timeline holds, he wouldn’t be back until late May or early June.
Tyson Foerster (Philadelphia Flyers)
The Flyers will be without Tyson Foerster for the next 2-3 months due to an upper-body injury sustained during a 5-on-3 power play. The injury came after Foerster took a one-timer and immediately showed signs of discomfort.
It’s a tough break for the 21-year-old, who was off to a strong start with 13 points (10G, 3A) in 21 games. His 0.48 goals-per-game pace had him on track to blow past his previous career-high of 25 goals. For a Flyers team trying to stay competitive in a deep Metropolitan Division, losing that kind of scoring punch - especially from a young player - is a significant setback.
Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars)
The Dallas Stars are also facing a major loss, as Tyler Seguin is expected to miss extended time with an ACL injury. The injury occurred during a puck battle along the boards, when Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov lost his balance and fell onto Seguin’s right leg.
Seguin had been a steady contributor for the Stars this season, appearing in all 27 games and posting 17 points (7G, 10A). While he may not be the elite scorer he once was, his experience and versatility remain crucial for Dallas’ forward group.
If Seguin is ruled out for the remainder of the season and lands on long-term injured reserve, that would free up his $9.85 million cap hit - potentially giving the Stars flexibility to explore trade options and bolster their forward depth.
As the calendar flips toward midseason, injuries are already reshaping the playoff picture and forcing front offices to reassess their rosters. Whether it’s a depth trade like the Blues-Kings swap or a bigger move down the line, teams are already being tested - and the margin for error is shrinking fast.