As tight lipped as TOR was in the last few years there were still a few rumors before a trade became a reality: Kessel, Clarkson + Bernier (in and out) plus in Lou's era Boyle and Andersen. We heard these names before they became Leafs.
Just because this potential trade hurts your feelings doesn't mean that it's not true.
Poile is obviously not going to admit it because he's not a fool. A foolish GM would be completely transparent.
When Bergevin was talking to other teams about Subban 2 years ago, some actual insiders (like Dreger, LeBrun, McKenzie) talked about it and gave specific details, and they all said there was stuff going on.
This year, all of them are saying they have absolutely no info on Subban being available, and they don't know where the rumors come from.
No credible insider ever said anything about Subban being on the trade block this year. The only one who said something that might sound like that was Pagnotta, and he later said he never implied that Subban was on the trade block. He just thinks Subban will be traded because of his contract and the Preds salary cap situation in the upcoming seasons.