These Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers have shown that players in the latter stages of their careers can still make an impact, like Brad Marchand and Corey Perry. For a team like the Los Angeles Kings that wants to win now, it isn't necessarily a bad thing to pursue some older veterans in free agency that can help achieve that goal.
For any older veteran, contracts (especially contract length) will play a much bigger factor and teams will need to project if these players can have the same impact now that they will have in three or four seasons. At the very least, the AAV of these contracts isn't an anchor on their salary cap in the final years of the deal.
For the Kings though, it might be worth the risk as they try to get over the hump and past the first round of the playoffs. With that in mind, these are four free agents who could be in the final years of their career, who might be a good fit for the team.
4 older free agents the Los Angeles Kings could target in free agency
Brad Marchand
Without question the top free agent that might fall into this category is Brad Marchand. The long-time Boston Bruins forward was traded during the season to the Florida Panthers and has seemingly rejuvenated his career these playoffs.
During the regular season, Marchand had only two goals in 10 games with the Florida Panthers but in 21 playoff games has eight goals and 10 assists with a +/- of +15.
It has been reported that Marchand not only wants a three to four-year contract but one with an AAV around $8 million. Based on how the playoffs have gone, he probably will get that from some team, and the Kings may believe in him enough that they could offer it. However, he would be over 40 years old by the time that contract would expire and would certainly be a big risk.