The Kings will be looking for a few bottom-six physical players and the Canucks have a few testing the open market.
The Los Angeles Kings should strongly consider signing Dakota Joshua and Sam Lafferty this off-season to bolster their roster and enhance their team's toughness next season.
Dakota Joshua brings a blend of size, skill, and versatility to the roster. At 6-foot-3, he possesses the physicality needed to excel in the NHL, while his offensive instincts make him a valuable asset in generating scoring opportunities in the bottom six.
With the Kings aiming to build a dynamic and balanced lineup, Joshua's ability to contribute offensively while also providing defensive stability would be a significant boost to their roster depth.
Sam Lafferty brings a different dimension to the Kings with his speed, tenacity, and versatility. As a winger capable of playing on either side of the ice, Lafferty adds flexibility to the lineup and provides the Kings' coaching staff with options for line combinations and in-game adjustments.
His relentless forechecking and ability to disrupt opposing defences make him a valuable asset on the penalty kill and in generating turnovers, traits that are essential for a team looking to play a fast-paced, aggressive style of hockey.
If the Kings want to become harder to play against, then they will need to target some more players with a more physical presence. In the last few seasons, GM Rob Blake has built his roster based on speed and skill, and in three seasons in a row, that roster makeup has bowed out to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs.
The addition of both Joshua and Lafferty would give the Kings a more solid, hard-to-play-against fourth line that can force the opposing team to make mistakes.