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5 Free Agents the Los Angeles Kings Should Target In 2015 NHL Offseason

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5 Free Agents the Kings Should Target In 2015 Offseason

Los Angeles Kings
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The Los Angeles Kings were one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL this season. While many chose them to repeat as champions, the Kings couldn't even make the playoffs. They need to make some changes this offseason to get back into contention in the Western Conference. These five names should be on their short list.

5. Jordan Leopold

Los Angeles Kings
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5. Jordan Leopold

Los Angeles Kings
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The defense will need to be retooled with the eventual losses of Slava Voynov, Robyn Regehr and Andrej Sekera, and a guy like Jordan Leopold could fill in for the bottom line of that unit. This team seems to find a way to gain the most out of their blue line, and Leopold wouldn't cost much to provide that.

4. Ryan Carter

Los Angeles Kings
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4. Ryan Carter

Los Angeles Kings
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What Ryan Carter lacks in talent, he makes up for in grit, toughness and work ethic. The Kings love players with grit. Carter is exactly what a team would want on the fourth line. He isn't a flashy pickup, but he's the kind of player who scores a game-winner in the playoffs.

3. Joel Ward

Los Angeles Kings
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3. Joel Ward

Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings will likely lose Justin Williams this offseaso as his price is sky rocketing. Joel Ward is a player who is growing into the same mold. He showed playoff heroics this season by scoring with less than two seconds left to beat the Rangers in Game 1 of their series. He could move right into a first or second line role, which is what Williams occupied.

2. Antoine Vermette

Los Angeles Kings
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2. Antoine Vermette

Los Angeles Kings
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Intangibles are what separate the Kings from the other teams in the league, and Antoine Vermette brings plenty of that to the table. He is a great faceoff man, he scores at the time his team needs it the most and he plays on both sides of the ice. This is the kind of player the Kings need to acquire.

1. Marek Zidlicky

Los Angeles Kings
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1. Marek Zidlicky

Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings need a big shot from the defensive end. Marek Zidlicky will bring in another veteran presence who has possibly the best blue-line shot in the league. He will be a nice second line powerplay defenseman who can play behind Drew Doughty's line.

Nick Villano is the NHL feature writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

Nick Villano is a writer for RantSports.
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