Kings and Blues Swap Centers in Trade Deal

The Los Angeles Kings have completed a trade with the St. Louis Blues, acquiring center Nikita Alexandrov in exchange for Akil Thomas. Both players are 25 years old, with Alexandrov being eight months younger than Thomas.

Alexandrov was selected by the Blues in the second round as the 62nd overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, while Thomas was drafted 52nd overall in 2018 by the Kings. Both players are currently on expiring contracts, with Alexandrov on a one-year deal and Thomas on a two-year contract, each earning $775,000 per season.

Throughout their careers, both players have primarily played in the AHL with limited NHL appearances. As of this season, Akil Thomas has been playing with the Ontario Reign in the AHL, where he has recorded four goals and 13 points in 19 games.

In his previous NHL stint last year, Thomas played in 25 games, scoring three goals and one assist. On the other hand, Alexandrov has played in 51 NHL games but has not appeared in an NHL contest since April 12, 2024.

Last season, he played for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, finishing with an impressive 21 goals and 49 points in 48 games. This season, he has scored three goals and 14 points in 18 games. This trade marks Kings General Manager Ken Holland's fifth transaction since joining the organization in May.

The move reflects a strategic reshaping of the rosters for both teams as they look to improve their standings as the season progresses. According to Yahoo Sports NHL, this trade is significant as it involves two former second-round picks looking to establish themselves further in the league.