Mike Babcock was at his daughter's graduation when he received a text message from a friend about reports of a strained relationship with star center Auston Matthews.

"I'll find out in the morning," the Toronto coach replied. "I'll meet him. I'll ask him in the morning."

As the Maple Leafs cleaned out their lockers Friday in the wake of a seven-game-series loss to the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, Babcock and Matthews addressed speculation the coach had "lost" his player during the series.