AKIL THOMAS NEWS

Blues say Walker is out long term and trade Alexandrov to the Kings for Thomas

The St. Louis Blues will be without the services of another forward for an extended period of time

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Flipped in trade Thomas was acquired by the Blues from the Kings on Tuesday in exchange for Nikita Alexandrov.

Impact Neither center seemed to be close to earning a call-up to their respective NHL squads, so this trade could benefit both Thomas and Alexandrov with fresh starts in new organizations. Both players will be free agents at the end of the 2025-26 campaign and have been putting up decent numbers in the minors -- four goals and nine helpers in 19 games with AHL Ontario for Thomas. Expect the 25-year-old Thomas to report to AHL Springfield in the coming days.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Two points in AHL win Thomas scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Ontario's 2-1 overtime win over San Jose on Tuesday.

Impact Thomas is up to seven points over 10 games for Ontario this year, though he has three multi-point efforts. It would be good to see a little more consistency from the 25-year-old. It's unclear if he'll get a chance at the NHL level this season -- he could if injuries arise for the Kings, but he might benefit from a change of scenery at this point in his career.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

One of each in AHL loss Thomas scored a goal on four shots and added an assist in OHL Ontario's 5-4 overtime loss to Tucson on Friday.

Impact Thomas didn't get any games in the AHL last year, logging three points in 25 NHL regular-season outings with the Kings. He was waived to begin 2025-26, so he'll be motivated to earn his way back to the big club. Friday was a positive start for him, but he'll need to sustain his offense throughout the year to be in line for a call-up.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on waivers Thomas was designated for waivers by the Kings on Wednesday.

Impact Thomas was going to be hard-pressed to make the Kings' Opening Night roster, despite having played in 25 regular-season games for the club last year. In those outings, the Toronto native managed one goal, two assists and 20 assists while averaging 9:55 of ice time. Still, Thomas should be in line for a call-up at some point during the 2025-26 campaign.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck as healthy scratch Thomas has played just one of the Kings' last 20 games after being scratched again in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Impact Thomas' status with the Kings is in bad shape. When Tanner Jeannot (undisclosed) and Alex Turcotte (upper body) exited the lineup with injuries, the Kings opted to call up and play 28-year-old Jeff Malott instead of inserting Thomas into the lineup. Thomas hasn't helped his cause much in 2024-25, earning just three points, 19 shots on net, 37 hits and a minus-4 rating over 23 appearances. At this point, it's safe to assume Thomas won't play unless he's the only option available to enter the lineup.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Back in press box again Thomas was scratched for the fourth straight game in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Impact Thomas got into six of eight games between Jan. 22 and Feb. 7, but he failed to record a point in that span. The Kings have opted to go back to dressing seven defensemen, with Thomas the forward most frequently coming out of the lineup to accommodate that composition. The 25-year-old has had a tough season with just three points over 22 outings after producing four points in a seven-game sample late in 2023-24. He's too old to have his development prioritized at this point, which makes it tough to see him carving out much playing time when the Kings are healthy.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Not seeing playing time Thomas was scratched for the sixth straight game in Monday's 1-0 loss to the Oilers.

Impact Thomas played in six straight games from Dec. 14-28, but he's since been stuck in the press box. That could be his future for a while longer, as Samuel Helenius was sent down, leaving Thomas as the only spare forward on the Kings' roster. The team's steady usage of 11 forwards and seven defensemen doesn't leave an opening for Thomas, but if they go back to 12 forwards and six blueliners, Thomas would be in line to play. He has three points, 18 shots on net, 24 hits and a minus-1 rating over 16 appearances.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

First point since return Thomas logged an assist and two hits in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Rangers.

Impact Thomas was activated from injured reserve Dec. 7, but he spent three games as a healthy scratch before drawing in for Trevor Moore (upper body). This was Thomas' first action since Nov. 25. The 24-year-old forward has three points, 14 shots on net, 20 hits and a plus-1 rating over 11 appearances this season, primarily in a bottom-six role.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR Thomas (undisclosed) was activated from IR ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Wild.

Impact Thomas will rejoin the Kings following a minimum four-game IR stint. The 24-year-old center has a goal and two points in 10 games this season.

DECEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

In regular jersey at practice Thomas (undisclosed) was in a regular jersey at practice Thursday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Impact Thomas has missed the last four games and could return to action Saturday versus Minnesota. Thomas has a goal and an assist in 10 games this season.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Added to injured reserve Thomas (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve Friday.

Impact Thomas has a goal and an assist in 10 appearances this season. He last played in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to San Jose, so this move is presumably retroactive to that date. When Thomas is healthy, he might serve on the fourth line, but the 24-year-old isn't guaranteed a spot in the lineup.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Thomas recorded an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Thomas picked up his first point since his goal in his season debut Oct. 29 versus the Sharks. The 24-year-old was the latest to take a turn on the first line at even strength in the absence of Alex Turcotte (upper body). Thomas has two points, 12 shots on net, 13 hits and a plus-1 rating over seven appearances, but most of his playing time this season is likely to be in a bottom-six role.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in season debut Thomas scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Sharks.

Impact This was Thomas' season debut, and he played on the second line at even strength. His tally tied the game at 1-1 in the second period, just 58 seconds after Jake Walman opened the scoring for the Sharks. Thomas took the spot of Kevin Fiala, who was scratched for missing a team meeting. Moving forward, Thomas is likely to challenge Trevor Lewis or Andre Lee for a spot on the fourth line.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kings sign forward Akil Thomas to a two-year contract The 24-year-old, who starred for the AHL’s Ontario Reign last season, made his NHL debut April 1 and scored four points in seven games for t...

JUNE 6, 2024 • DAILYNEWS.COM

Heading back to AHL Thomas was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Tuesday.

Impact Thomas made a strong first impression in the NHL with three goals, one assist, nine shots on goal and eight hits over seven games despite averaging 8:44 of ice time per contest. He'll still lose his roster spot to Alex Turcotte (upper body), who was activated from long-term injured reserve. It's possible Thomas stays in the AHL, as the Reign are set to begin a playoff run, but he should get a chance to compete for a roster spot for 2024-25.

APRIL 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records first assist Thomas registered an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Ducks.

Impact Thomas continues to impress in limited minutes with three goals and an assist over six contests. The 24-year-old has exceeded 10 minutes of ice time just twice. He's added nine shots on net, seven hits and a plus-2 rating. Until the Kings are at full health, Thomas is just about guaranteed a place in the lineup, but it's unclear if that will carry over into the playoffs.

APRIL 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies again Thursday Thomas scored a goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Flames.

Impact Thomas stretched the Kings' lead to 3-0 in the second period. The 24-year-old has thrived in a fourth-line role since he was recalled from AHL Ontario, picking up three goals, eight shots on net, six hits and a plus-1 rating over five appearances. He's leapfrogged Arthur Kaliyev on the Kings' depth chart, and it seems likely Thomas will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs if Carl Grundstrom (lower body) isn't ready to play.

APRIL 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring in loss Thomas scored a goal on four shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks.

Impact Thomas poked in the puck at 5:50 of the first period, but that was all the Kings could muster against Lukas Dostal. Thomas has two goals over his first four NHL appearances despite seeing limited usage on the fourth line. The 24-year-old has added seven shots on net, six hits and a plus-1 rating.

APRIL 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Akil Thomas scores 1st NHL goal as Kings beat Sharks 2-1 to improve playoff position Akil Thomas scored his first NHL goal and David Rittich stopped 15 shots as the Los Angeles Kings beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 to improve th...

APRIL 5, 2024 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM