Frank Seravalli

I'm not saying the story is a nothing.

I'm just saying in the here and now on May 11, there's not much to talk about.

This is a conversation for later in the summer if there is one at all.

And part of the reason for that is the story's timeline was a little bit problematic in the sense that the Leafs then went out the next day and won the draft lottery.

And if anything, what it probably does is provides Austin Matthews with a little bit of comfort and support knowing that

In an organization with very few prospects and anything on the way, there is help.

Yeah, there's help coming and a really good player on the way that might make it a lot easier to be able to wrap your brain around the vision of whatever John Jake is trying to sell you.

And I think a question and part that no one really wants to say out loud also that should be said is,

There's no doubt there would be a massive market for Austin Matthews if he raises his hand and says that he wants out.

But what is the status of Austin Matthews and his game?

This is one of the most dominant players that we've seen in the league.

Two 60-goal seasons, a 69-goal campaign that obviously far and away won him another rocket.

But he's scored 60 total in the last two seasons.

Yes.

This is a player whose game has dropped off in a drastic fashion.

This is not the same as trading Quinn Hughes at the absolute prime.

It just isn't.

Yes, I said last week that I believe a coaching change is more likely than not, meaning greater than 50% chance.

And the reason for that is in part due to what we just talked about, that then this is going to be the basis of the Oilers offseason as a whole, is you have one shot to get this right.

You have one year to make your case to show significant improvement after your two best players and included themselves in this said that the organization is going in the wrong direction.