Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Akil Thomas!
Akil Thomas
Birthdate: January 2, 2000
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Height: 5’11
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Center/Wing
Shoots: Right
Draft: 2nd round, 51st overall, 2018 NHL Entry Draft
2022-2023 season
After dealing with injuries throughout the 2021-2022 season, Thomas entered the 2022-2023 season healthy and ready to go. Thomas was mainly used at center up and down the lineup and also played the wing for a game for the Ontario Reign. Thomas proved to be a valuable asset for head coach Marco Sturm at 5-on-5 and special teams. Four of Thomas’ five goals were on the power play, a situation where he is lethal as the bumper man with that quick release of his.
Unfortunately for Thomas, the injury bug struck again on November 19th in a game against the Henderson Silver Knights. After getting in a post-whistle scrum, Thomas got tangled up and fell down to the ice awkwardly. After getting up, Thomas was seen favoring his right arm and went to the Reign dressing room and did not return to the game. The upper-body injury caused him to miss the remainder of the year. In 13 games with the Reign, Thomas recorded eight points (5 G, 3 A).
The Reign issued an update on forwards Jacob Doty and Akil Thomas today. Each have upper body injuries that will require surgery and are out indefinitely.
— Jared Shafran (@ShafReign) November 25, 2022
What a play by @AkilThomas2 & @tp_madden10! pic.twitter.com/CLrAOABAik
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 19, 2022
2023-2024 outlook
We’ve signed forward Akil Thomas to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
🔗 https://t.co/Vg8J4AZROq #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/rEm0yiY8Vj
— LA Kings (@LAKings) July 8, 2023
There are a few Kings prospects that will be fighting for a roster spot on the fourth line, and Thomas is one of them. He isn’t waiver-exempt this season, so if the Kings want to send him down to start the season in Ontario, he’ll have to clear waivers first. With not many right-handed shooters in the forward group, I expect Thomas to get a look for the opening night roster with the Kings. However, staying healthy will be key for the 23-year-old forward.
If Thomas doesn’t make the Kings’ opening night roster, does a team claim him off waivers and take a chance on him? That is something the Kings didn’t have to worry about last year, but they have to with a few players this year with limited cap space. If Thomas impresses in camp and earns a spot on the Kings’ fourth line, he’ll add versatility and a two-way game to that line.
Main photo credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign
Sounds like a collar bone, if not shoulder again.
Either the Kingd lode prospects on waivers or they are not valued outside
Might as well send him down on the first cut, when teams may be be too bloated to be tempted,
Same with Moverare and anyone else you think would likely be in the last cut of camp.