The Red Wings and Maple Leafs will have "little privacy for the next month, as crews of about 10 people will be with both teams" to capture footage for HBO's "24/7: Road To The Winter Classic," according to Ted Kulfan of the DETROIT NEWS. The cameras "were all over" the Red Wings locker room after Thursday's practice. Microphones "extended every which way, all over, capturing every sound, be it a laugh or a curse word." Players and coaches are "eager to be a part of it -- but admit it will be an adjustment." Red Wings C Stephen Weiss said, "There's a quiet time before the game and you're getting yourself ready and there's a guy in front of you while you're tying your skates. That's kind of different. You're not kind of used to that during the course of a season." D Jonathan Ericsson said that he was having a conversation with D Brendan Smith on Thursday "when he cut short talking because he could sense cameras peering in." Ericsson: "As soon as there are cameras in the locker room everyone gets real quiet and they aren't themselves anymore." But Olympia Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson said, "You get a glimpse of the people. That's what makes this entire series come alive." Kulfan notes the series will begin Dec. 14 and "continue for the next four Saturdays until the finale" on Jan. 4. This will be the third installment of "24/7" and "has the potential to be one of the most popular" (DETROIT NEWS, 12/6). Red Wings coach Mike Babcock: "They believe it's a big seller for the game. So, if it's good for the game, I'm all about the game" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/6).
