It seemed like a pretty good piece of info at the time.



A few weeks ago, I was told the Maple Leafs were all over Ryan McLeod, the 18-year-old, draft-eligible centre playing for the Mississauga Steelheads. A good skater who had 70 points in 68 regular season games, he was slated on most draft lists to go late in the first round, right around when the Leafs will be picking at 25th.



McLeod would also fill an organizational need, given how thin the Leafs’ prospect pool looks down the middle. (Not that you should draft for need, but teams often do.)



Toronto has been watching McLeod closely all year. In fact, they talked to him more than any other NHL team — and not just because they’re in the same neighbourhood. They were really interested.



Emphasis on were. Because I don’t think Kyle Dubas will select him next month in Dallas.



We are a little more than four weeks out from the draft, and the Leafs just lost their top...