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Leafs don’t think HBO cameras will be too big a distraction

Boston Bruins v Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 6: Coach Randy Carlyle of the Toronto Maple Leafs yells from the bench against the Boston Bruins during NHL action at the Air Canada Centre March 6, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

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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.”