I voted Ladd and other because I expect DL to make to additions (maybe in one deal, but two players).
The Kings still seem to be targeting/needing a goalscorer and Ladd can score. Maybe not 40 goals, but he should be good for 25 a season, is in his prime years, and is locked in for two more years at $4.4 mill cap hit, something we can make work in future years as the cap goes up.
DL deems to prefer trading for guys who have a potential future in LA, not just renting them, at least when it comes to larger pieces (Carter, Regehr...) so trading for a guy under contract would fit his MO. Plus, Winnipeg has to be thinking about doing some deals. I like Kane too, but I do question the baggage he seems to carry (Holden I think disagrees with me here, but I do find some of his reported actions immature which really wouldn't fit in well with DL/DS). Ladd seems to have more of the 'character' DL speaks of, and his age and contract would mean he'd be in the 'core' for a while longer.
I also expect DL to add a D-man to the team. Mitchell has held up surprisingly well, but between him and Greene, there's always an injury concern. Regehr isn't young either and those three comprise our three most physical D-men, so I can see DL trading to add a stop gap to the team, or maybe even a long-term solution if he plans to let Greene and/or Mitchell test UFA. I'd assume a stop gap would make more sense though, so (and again, bucking Holden's thoughts) someone like Mark Stuart in Winnipeg might be a reasonable add. UFA after the season, likely could work him into a Ladd deal somehow.
Shane O'Brien, Nick Schultz, Tallinder, Mike Weaver, Brian Strait could all be lower cost options for a stay at home type, some with a physical upside as well.
