From head coach Randy Carlyle to young forward Nazem Kadri, the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday were downplaying the potential negative effects of their participation in HBO’s “24/7" series during the month-long run-up to the Winter Classic on Jan. 1.
Said Carlyle of the challenge for his players as HBO’s cameras invade the dressing room and their everyday lives, per the National Post: “Well, they’re going to live like I do now. I have you guys in my face all the time. They’re going to have to live a little more like that. Obviously it’s a challenge to get used to but I don’t think it’s that drastic.”
Similarly, hhere’s Kadri, on the constant presence of the cameras: “You guys are around all the time, so we’ve gotten pretty used to it. I don’t think anyone is going to be pretty distracted by it.”
But at least one columnist, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, thinks it’s a terrible idea for the Leafs, who already have a big spotlight on them.
Writes Grange: “There’s no doubt the whole thing could be fun, but the Leafs don’t need fun. They need focus. They need winning. When your team is a season-long, decades-long, minute-by-minute storyline, you don’t need more storylines.”