I don't understand why you think the two situations are even remotely similar.
Matthews came off a tough series where he was 58th in ice-time among forwards. Not really too hard to consider he felt underused in the series. Just for a parralel, Laine averaged more TOI than him and he's buried behind depth in Winnipeg. You're kidding yourself if you think players don't notice these things. During his offensive struggles, Nylander was taken off his wing and replaced with Connor Brown. I think it's pretty understandable that Matthews was upset with the whole thing, it's pretty close-minded to think otherwise. If you honestly think that their rift would be announced to the media, you're kidding yourself. Anyone who denies the controversy just isn't being logical, a coach doesn't fly out half-way across a continent to "comfort" their young superstar after a bad playoff series.