Thursday, February 17, 2005

David Guralnick / The Detroit News Manager Al Sobotka said ice at The Joe will be maintained through the spring. Concerts and family shows are booked into June.

Wings don't plan job layoffs

While other NHL teams will cut staff, workers here will be shifted to other duties.

By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Clip 'n' Flip Click here for larger version of the photo. Print, clip and flip for your own memorial. Error processing SSI file Should Yzerman retire? Now that the 2004-05 NHL season has officially been cancelled, should Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, who turns 40 in May, retire? Yes, he has accomplished everything No, he shouldn't go out on this note No, he still can play even after sitting out a year Get results and comments The blame game Whom would you blame for the cancellation of the NHL season? The owners The players Both Get results and comments You take a shot Faced with a salary cap, how would you build the Red Wings' roster? Which high-salary players would you let go? Get results and comments Wallpaper Red Wings Ghost Town Audio Audio clip of the Chicken Dance Previous reports NHL players accept cap, but no deal yet Howe says hockey is the big loser Retirement and free agency will drastically change Wings' roster Bob Wojnowski: Deal now or forget the season Minor league is better than nothing for 3 Wings 4-hour negotiating session goes nowhere Season hopes all but dashed Neither Goodenow nor Bettman will join in discussions meant to spark negotiations Bob Wojnowski: Wings' Ilitch needs to flex his muscles and try to end impasse Bob Wojnowski: NHL's problems go far beyond labor Talks in Toronto go nowhere in a hurry Owners look adamant about a salary cap Red Wings keep the faith Union leader says players won't budge Bob Wojnowski: Lockout could cause irreparable damage to sport Hockey fans make do Union still maintains that Commissioner Bettman is roadblock to ending labor impasse Key figures involved in resolving the strife Comparing the leagues' financial arrangements Players' status going into 2004-05 season Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

DETROIT -- The day after has dawned for Red Wings employees. Today their life begins without hockey.

Granted, Wednesday's announcement of the cancellation of the NHL season did not come as a surprise. What it does provide, however, is a sense of closure.

"For the last how many years I can remember, hockey has been a way of life for me this time of year," said Ken Kal, the Red Wings radio play-by-play man for the last decade. "This is so disappointing. I really thought something could be worked out. It's so disappointing nothing was."

Kal, an employee of the Wings, admits, "I'm very fortunate." Other aren't.

Numerous teams will begin laying off employees in the coming days, or weeks. The Wings say they have no intention of doing so.

John Hahn, vice president of media relations for the Wings, said the organization will continue to shift personnel to other departments or fill vacancies in other Ilitch Holdings companies when needed.

Positions vacated through attrition will not be filled.

Kal will continue to work in community relations and broadcast and promote college games at Joe Louis Arena.

Kal said he was optimistic a deal was going to be made as early as October, but grew pessimistic as the weeks went on.

"But I believe the league can come back stronger when it returns," Kal said. "With the expected changes in the game, a healthy economic system, I believe the league has an opportunity to come back."

Wings television broadcasters Ken Daniels, Mickey Redmond and Paul Woods are employed by Fox Sports and have not been paid.

The Joe Louis Arena ice surface will be maintained through the spring, said Al Sobotka, the building manager.

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament is scheduled for mid-March and Little Caesars youth teams have continued to practice and play on the rink since October.

The hours Sobotka and his staff spend on the building have been unaffected. JLA workers are also utilized at Cobo Arena or other Ilitch properties.

Hahn said because of the cancellation of the regular season, JLA will now be available to be booked through the end of June with concerts or various family shows.

Referees and linesmen, employees of the league, are not being paid. Most have found other employment.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or tkulfan@detnews.com.