Breaking News: Akil Thomas Traded to St. Louis in Exchange for Alexandrov — What Went Wrong in LA?
After months of speculation, it’s official — Akil Thomas is no longer part of the Los Angeles Kings. Early Tuesday morning, the St. Louis Blues made it public that they’ve acquired the 25-year-old forward in exchange for center Nikita Alexandrov. But here’s where it gets interesting — this isn’t just a routine midseason transaction. It’s the end of an unfulfilled chapter for a promising player whose NHL journey never quite took the path fans expected.
The trade had been brewing for a while. When Thomas made his long-awaited NHL debut on April 1, 2024, optimism surrounded him. Three goals in seven games hinted that LA’s 2018 second-round pick might finally carve out his spot on the roster. That summer, most insiders projected him to lock down a bottom-six role once camp opened. But for reasons that have never been fully made public, things quietly derailed.
Although he made the 23-man roster to start the season, Thomas didn’t hit the ice until October 29 in San Jose — but he didn’t disappoint, scoring in his very first game. Unfortunately, that spark never turned into a flame. He played just 24 more games and didn’t score again. Spending much of 2024–25 as a healthy scratch, the writing on the wall became clear: his time with the Kings seemed to be running out.
Heading into this season, Thomas was on the second year of a two-year deal. The Kings placed him on waivers during training camp, but no team stepped up to claim him. General Manager Ken Holland reassigned him to AHL Ontario, where Thomas quietly rebuilt his rhythm. Through 19 games with the Reign, he put up 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) — solid numbers, but not enough to secure a return ticket to the NHL.
Still, this trade isn’t the closing of a career. Born in Toronto, Thomas remains best remembered for scoring the golden goal that delivered Canada the 2020 World Junior Championship. Coaches throughout his AHL stints have consistently praised his character and work ethic. Now, with the Blues organization, he gets the fresh start he’s been waiting for. He’s expected to begin that journey with their AHL affiliate in Springfield.
On the surface, the trade looks like a clean swap: two former second-round picks who both found themselves stuck at career crossroads. Alexandrov, drafted by St. Louis in 2019, has bounced between the Blues and their minor-league team the past two seasons. Across 51 NHL games, he’s tallied nine points (3 goals, 6 assists). However, his stronger numbers come from the AHL, where he’s racked up an impressive 143 points (61 goals, 82 assists) over 188 games. This season alone, the 6-foot center has 14 points in 18 appearances.
Alexandrov now heads to Ontario, stepping into a lineup that’s suddenly missing a top center — the very role Thomas had occupied for most of the 2025–26 season. Interestingly, Alexandrov has shown versatility in Springfield, playing all three forward positions and switching between center and both wings. That flexibility could make him an immediate asset for a Reign team heavy on centers but light on depth options.
Meanwhile, in Springfield, Thomas will be reunited with a familiar face — former teammate Matt Luff, who, just before this trade, shared the team lead in points with Alexandrov. That reunion might help smooth the transition and jumpstart Thomas’s confidence.
Here’s the real question: Did Los Angeles give up too soon on a player who, not long ago, represented one of their brightest young hopes? Or is this move exactly the clean break both sides needed to move forward? Share your thoughts — did the Kings do right by Thomas, or will they regret letting him go so soon?
