Samuel Helenius was recalled and will return to Los Angeles lineup on Wednesday, meaning Akil Thomas will head to the press box as a healthy scratch vs. St. Louis. The 25-year-old Thomas has failed to produce offensively this season, with just a goal and three points in 23 games played.
Thomas has not played since December 28th but will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 10:24 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 16 games this season.
The Kings have recalled Andre Lee from the Ontario Reign (AHL) in correspondence to Thomas being placed on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old Thomas has already played a career-high 10 games this season, averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A).
Samuel Helenius will draw back into the Kings lineup on Wednesday, resulting in Thomas being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Thomas has already played a career-high 10 games this season, averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A).
Thomas will make his first appearance since November 13th when the Kings travel to San Jose on Monday. Samuel Helenius will sit in his place.
Thomas has yet to play this season but had four points (3G / 1A) in seven games with the Kings last season. The 24-year-old Thomas was a second-round selection of the Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Thomas made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and has signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV) to stay with the Los Angeles Kings. The 24-year-old centre spent the last four seasons with Ontario (AHL) before finally cracking the Kings' lineup and appeared in seven games, amassing three goals, four points, nine SOG and two PIMs for the Kings once he did.
Thomas impressed in his short stint with the Kings, scoring three goals and adding one assist across seven games while playing less than nine minutes a night. His demotion makes way for the return of Alex Turcotte (upper-body).
Thomas will draw into the lineup for his second career game on Thursday as the Kings opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Arthur Kaliyev will sit in his place.
Thomas was the 51st overall pick of the Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and will make his NHL debut on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Thomas has 43 points (22G / 21A) in 61 games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) this season.
Thomas had five goals, three assists, and a eight PIMs through 13 injury filled games with Ontario (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV to stay in Los Angeles. The 23-year-old forward was Los Angeles 2018 second-round pick (51st overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut.
