I can't say I like the Kings acquiring and signing Fiala--old hatred dies hard--but I also can't care that much. They're at a different stage in their rebuild than we are, and while I like Fiala (maybe a contract comp for Meier?), the Sharks both can't really afford him and don't really need him right now.
Of course they need him in terms of more offense, but the rest of the team isn't good enough or on an upward trajectory where it would be a logical addition. The Kings, unfortunately, are. The sad truth is that it's highly unlikely the Sharks don't have to face several years of struggles before they can get on the same kind of upward arc, and until then it doesn't make sense to mortgage the future for players like this.
I'm not as opposed as some are to re-signings, like Hertl, because I think they do bring value to a rebuild (and wouldn't get enough in return in a trade) and the cap space argument is pretty much pointless for the next few years, but acquiring guys from the outside at the cost of major organizational assets? Stupid, stupid, stupid. So I'm glad we sat this one out.
