Blackhawks to keep team staff intact during lockout

While the list of NHL teams that are laying off employees due to the lockout has grown, members of the Blackhawks’ front office have received some good news.

Hawks owner Rocky Wirtz has informed team president John McDonough that there will be no layoffs or cuts in the foreseeable future.

“Status quo for the foreseeable future,” a spokesman for Wirtz said in an email. “No layoffs, no cuts, no furloughs.”

The same can’t be said about other teams.

The Florida Panthers, for instance, announced “staff adjustments” and “staff reductions” on Tuesday. According to the Miami Herald, that meant laying off several employees, including the person behind the team mascot, Stanley C. Panther.

The Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames are among teams that have reportedly laid off employees or instituted salary-cutting plans.

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, on the other hand, are teams that have said no layoffs are forthcoming.

Hawks staff members have been told to proceed with “a business as usual approach.” The only change, sources said, is a temporary hiring freeze. But that was to be expected because of the work stoppage.