Blues Trade with Kings Brings Akil Thomas

The St. Louis Blues have made a significant roster move by acquiring forward Akil Thomas from the Los Angeles Kings. The trade also involved sending Nikita Alexandrov to Los Angeles.

Details of the Trade

Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced the trade on [insert today’s date]. Akil Thomas, now a member of the Blues, will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

Player Profiles

• Akil Thomas:
  • Age: 25
  • Current AHL Statistics: 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 19 games with the Ontario Reign
  • Career AHL Statistics: 106 points (50 goals, 56 assists), 76 penalty minutes in 176 games
  • Career NHL Statistics: 32 games, 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists), 9 penalty minutes
  • Draft Details: Selected by the Kings in the 2nd round, 51st overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft
• Nikita Alexandrov:
  • Age: 25
  • Current AHL Statistics: 143 points (61 goals, 82 assists), 72 penalty minutes in 188 games
  • Career NHL Statistics: 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists), 12 penalty minutes in 51 games
  • Draft Details: Selected by the Blues in the 2nd round, 62nd overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft

Impact on Both Teams

This trade highlights the Blues’ strategy to bolster their roster, focusing on young talent with the acquisition of Akil Thomas. Meanwhile, the Kings benefit from Nikita Alexandrov’s proven performance in the AHL and the NHL. This exchange reflects the ongoing dynamics of player development and team building in the NHL.

As both players transition to their new teams, fans will be keen to see how this trade shapes the upcoming seasons for the Blues and the Kings.