June 6: The Kings made Thomas’ extension official Thursday. It carries a cap hit of $775K, confirming he’ll earn the league-minimum base salary in both seasons of the deal.
June 5: The Kings have agreed to terms on a two-year extension with center Akil Thomas, reports The Fourth Period’s Dennis Bernstein. Thomas was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1. He’ll have a two-way salary structure next season before converting to a one-way deal in 2025-26.
A second-round pick of in 2018, Thomas returns for his fifth and sixth professional seasons in the Kings organization. He’s been a mainstay for their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, since making his professional debut in 2020.
Thomas only recently made his NHL debut, impressing with three goals and an assist in a late-season seven-game call-up a few months back. It was a good sign for the one-time World Juniors gold medalist, who was once viewed as one of the Kings’ top prospects but has had significant injury struggles in the past few years. His 71 combined games played for the Kings and Reign this season were his most at any level.
With added health came added production. The 24-year-old right-shot pivot served as an alternate captain for the Reign while putting up career highs offensively, ranking fourth on the team in scoring with 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists) in 64 games.
Thomas’ rookie deal ran out last summer, prompting him to sign a one-year, two-way deal that paid him $775K in the NHL and $100K in the minors this season. While financial details haven’t been reported yet, he’ll likely earn a significant AHL pay bump with the potential for a slightly increased NHL salary.
He’s no longer waiver-exempt, so if the Kings cut him from the roster, they would have to expose him to the league’s other 31 teams during training camp. Signing Thomas to a two-year deal is partially a deterrent to keep teams away from claiming him if they go that route, but a one-way commitment in the second half is a promising sign that they envision Thomas still capping out as an NHL contributor as he enters his mid-20s.
Finally health and had a good season! I would like to see him on the 4th line next year with Turcotte!
Agree! And add Grunstrom back to finish out the line. Don’t need them then play much. Good and cheap 4th.
Since Blake put us in cap hell, he might trade Grunny & Lizotte away. I like Grunny, But likely they bring back Lewis at minimum wage again.