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With the Ontario Reign season over, we will begin our player reviews for the 2025-26 season. Up first: Nikita Alexandrov!

*Note: These player reviews will be for players who played at least five games with the Reign and finished the season with the team*

2025-26 season stats (with Ontario)

Games: 48

Goals: 13

Assists: 29

Points: 42

+/- rating: -10

Penalty minutes: 20

Season review

Nikita Alexandrov started the season with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) after inking a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues. In 18 games with the Thunderbirds, Alexandrov recorded 14 points (3 G, 11 A) and had a -10 rating. After spending six years in the Blues organization and needing a fresh start, the Blues sent Alexandrov out west in a trade with the Kings, which also saw Akil Thomas go the other way, who also needed a fresh start.

Upon his arrival, Alexandrov made an immediate impact in Ontario’s lineup, scoring three goals in his first three games and recording at least one point in 17 of his first 23 games (24 points). He fit in like a glove and didn’t look out of place with his new teammates.

While Alexandrov was hovering around a point-per-game during his time with the Reign, around mid-February, I started to notice his play started to taper off slightly, which was expected to happen.

However, his play away from the puck wasn’t strong, and half the time, he didn’t look engaged in battling for the loose pucks. Possessing the skills with the puck, it seemed like effort was an issue for me at times down the stretch of the season.

A Group 6 UFA entering the offseason, I would be shocked if Alexandrov is brought back and gets a crack at the Kings’ lineup. If an NHL opportunity is on the table for him, it may be elsewhere.

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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