Anaheim Ducks

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Lightning, Maple Leafs & Ducks

Oilers face coaching questions, Matthews chatter grows in Toronto, and LaCombe’s breakout leaves Edmonton with a painful “what if.”

by
Old Prof
May 1, 2026

In this edition of NHL Trade Talk Recap, we look at three quick recaps of today’s posts: Edmonton’s season ended in a gut-punch, and at least a few people are asking if head coach Kris Knoblauch is out. Is there any chance Jon Cooper could be in? Toronto’s got that awkward Auston Matthews silence bubbling up into full-on chatter, and Anaheim’s Jackson LaCombe just made the Oilers regret a draft miss.

Three hot takes, all messy, and all worth scrolling through.

Time to Get Bold — Is It Kris or Cooper?

The Oilers’ season just died in Game 6 to the Ducks, and it stings. Talent-wise, this roster should be doing way more, but they looked sloppy, inconsistent, and couldn’t close when it mattered. Knoblauch did some steadying in the regular season, but playoff coaching is the proof. And Edmonton didn’t adjust or lock things down when it counted. When your Stanley Cup window is open, and you flake in Round 1, the coach has to be on the table.

Then there’s Jon Cooper. If Tampa crashes out early, maybe he’s ready for a change. While it’s a long shot, he’s the kind of coach who actually gets big stars, makes smart in-series tweaks, and wins when it counts. He’s even worked with McDavid internationally, so the fit wouldn’t be out of the blue.

Bottom line: this isn’t about tearing everything down for Edmonton; it’s about bringing in someone who can turn close calls into real playoff runs. If the Lightning bow out, could Edmonton pounce?

Oilers’ First-Round Loss Could Lead to Major Coaching Shake-Up

Are the Maple Leafs on Edge — Where’s Auston Going?

There’s some wondering about Matthews. There are no wild rumours, just a weird middle ground where nothing’s confirmed but everyone feels uneasy. He battled injuries, his numbers dipped, and that knee-on-knee ended his season early. Combine that with the Maple Leafs missing the playoffs, and suddenly every pause or PR-perfect line turns into “what’s next?”

Matthews is playing it smart: praising the city, keeping options open, and using his no-move power like a safety net. With a new GM coming in and some real changes on the table, he and Nylander even reportedly poked leadership about what needs fixing. That sounds more like trying to help than bail. Bottom line: if Toronto shows a clear plan that fits Matthews, this all shuts up fast; if they don’t, the noise only gets louder.

Matthews and the Big Question No One Wants to Ask

LaCombe Made ‘Em Pay — Do Oilers Regret Passing on Him?

Jackson LaCombe straight-up stole the show against Edmonton. He was all over the ice in that upset — leading the Ducks offensively and handing Connor McDavid one of the toughest matchups you’ll see. Skating, smarts, poise — he had it all, and Edmonton just didn’t have an answer.

Anaheim gave him an eight-year, $72M extension back in October. And after his recent showing, it’s starting to look like a bargain. LaCombe was a late second-round pick at 39th (funny enough, right after the Oilers took Lavoie), and he put up nine points in six playoff games on the back of a 58-point season.

For Edmonton, it stings. They’ve missed on enough young players to make you worry about depth behind McDavid and Draisaitl. Passing on LaCombe is one of those “what if” moments you can’t help but replay.

Jackson LaCombe’s Emergence a Painful Reminder Edmonton Passed on Him