Looking back at the McGran article a little bit, he quotes two unidentified sources who discussed the negotiations:
I don't really think that McGran completely pulled these quotes from his butt. They almost definitely came from NHL people outside of the Leafs discussing the situation. Now, it's entirely possible that those people misread the situation and they were wrong. But I just don't see the harm is discussing a report like this. We talk about trade rumours that get posted all the time that are likely false. There's no difference between that and this except this one potentially made the Leafs look foolish.
?This one, to me, feels foolish,? an NHL source not involved in the talks told The Star. ?I don?t know what Lou?s reward is if he wins for the amount of risk you take by going this direction.?
...
?I hope Lou?s not holding his breath,? said an executive with a rival club. ?I?ve got a lot of respect for Lou, but I would not be wagering the house on (the Leafs) being able to hold that line.?
I don't really think that McGran completely pulled these quotes from his butt. They almost definitely came from NHL people outside of the Leafs discussing the situation. Now, it's entirely possible that those people misread the situation and they were wrong. But I just don't see the harm is discussing a report like this. We talk about trade rumours that get posted all the time that are likely false. There's no difference between that and this except this one potentially made the Leafs look foolish.