The sharing of Mitch Marner and Craig Berube having a coffee was the third Leafs-related stealth social snap in a matter of weeks.
The sharing of Mitch Marner and Craig Berube having a coffee was the third Leafs-related stealth social snap in a matter of weeks.
I get it. A lot is going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs these days.
But if you're fan looking for answers, snapping unauthorized photos of the staff out in public and sharing them on social media isn't it.
For the third time in a matter of weeks, an unsolicited photo of the Maple Leafs or potential staff was published on social media. The latest one featured star forward Mitch Marner meeting with newly minted head coach Craig Berube in what appears to be a coffee shop setting. Marner is the subject of much speculation these days as July 1 approaches when the forward would be eligible to sign a contract extension with Toronto, so I understand the interest here. But there's nothing to glean from the photo. The two appear to enjoying a warm beverage in a cafe and that's pretty much it.
From the look of the photo, it doesn't appear that either party knew that a photo was being snapped. if this were a one-time thing, I'm probably wouldn't be writing about this. There is no news. But these kind of stealth social shares are beginning to occur at an alarming rate.
On the day Berube was introduced as head coach of the Maple Leafs, a photo him along with Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan and GM Brad Treliving were spotted having dinner.
Ok. Great. Why post this? I get it if you approached them for a selfie or something for yourself to share. But what other benefit is there?
While the Maple Leafs were undergoing their head coaching search days after dismissing Sheldon Keefe, Todd McLellan was filmed outside of a boarding gate from an Air Canada flight going from LA International Airport to Toronto.
It's happening so frequently these days that you have to wonder is it too much now?When it comes to the spotlight of playing in Toronto, I've heard from players that they may be recognized when they step out in public and whatnot but having their every move being posted on social media is probably not the recruiting message a fanbase wants to send on a prospective player.
I acknowledge that as a reporter, advocating for people not to share information publicly is a bit hypocritical. I just think there are more respectful ways to engage with Leafs players or staff. Interest in the Maple Leafs is high. Information will come out.
But taking photos of players and staff in the wild and trying to make something of that. That's just not it and it has the potential to do more harm than good.
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