Some of these columns come easy, but this one has been a bit of a battle the past few days. I think that’s because we’re into murky waters here. The situation isn’t nearly as black-and-white as some are trying to make it out to be.



Let’s just go with the facts, as best we know them, off the top.



Auston Matthews’ second contract is going to be controversial when it finally gets done. It’s going to have a higher cap hit than many fans want and it’s not going to be for as long as they want either.



My understanding is that means something between $10- and $12-million over five or six years.



I’ve seen some interpreting the reports out there as entirely agent-driven, but I don’t think that’s accurate. No one directly involved in negotiations is giving out concrete numbers at this point, but there’s a general sense in the organization that things are headed in this...