Recent Trade in the AHL
In a recent move within the American Hockey League (AHL), the Los Angeles Kings traded forward Akil Thomas to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for fellow forward Nikita Alexandrov.
Player Profiles
Akil Thomas, who has been performing with the Ontario Reign, has managed to score four goals and accumulate 13 points over the course of 19 games this season. Over his AHL career, Thomas has recorded 50 goals and 106 points in 176 games.
Despite struggling with injuries last year, the 25-year-old appeared in all NHL matches for the Kings, though he only managed to score three points in 25 games. Originally selected by the Kings as a second-round draft pick in 2018, he has also seen action in 32 NHL games, marking seven points to date. Notably, Thomas was instrumental in Team Canada’s success at the 2020 World Junior Championship, scoring the decisive goal in the finals.
Conversely, Nikita Alexandrov, who has been playing for the Springfield Thunderbirds, has also made an impression this season, tallying three goals and 14 points in 18 games. Overall, Alexandrov has celebrated 61 goals and 143 points in 188 career AHL appearances. Selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, Alexandrov finished last season strong for the Thunderbirds, securing a commendable 49 points in 48 games.
At 25, Alexandrov has recorded three goals and nine points in 51 NHL games, all while representing St. Louis.
Implications of the Trade
This trade indicates a potential fresh start for both players, who have displayed promising skills in the AHL and aspire to further their careers in the NHL, with hopes that the swap of teams could benefit them.
