The Hockey News was "struck by layoffs this week as collateral damage from the coronavirus," as the "leading hockey industry magazine laid off eight full-time employees while keeping a pair of contract staffers to help publish stories digitally," according to Mark Zwolinski of the TORONTO STAR. The Hockey News Owner, Chair & Publisher W. Graeme Roustan in an email said, "Some members of The Hockey News team have been temporarily laid off." Zwolinski reports the full-time staffers, who were "informed of the decision Friday, were not given a timeline for their return." There is a "fear that more media layoffs could come if the NHL is forced to cancel its post-season" (TORONTO STAR, 3/19). Roustan said that he "will re-evaluate the decision every week," and he "pledges to bring everyone back to work once the NHL resumes" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/18). In Toronto, Michael Traikos writes the layoffs are "awful news" and "uncalled for." Traikos: "Here’s hoping ... Roustan does the right thing and continues to pay his workers to continue delivering the coverage that fans need" (TORONTO SUN, 3/19).
NO FULL SHUTDOWN: In Toronto, Simon Houpt notes TSN's Bob McKenzie in a tweet yesterday "implied" The Hockey News was "suspending operations." But Roustan told McKenzie in a series of tweets that the publication was "still pumping out breaking hockey news and features," and that McKenzie "should 'clean up or delete your Tweet.'" Roustan: "Your choice of words is causing mass confusion." McKenzie replied, "My tweet is not inaccurate." Roustan then "accused him of irresponsibly publishing 'damaging incomplete info.'" McKenzie later issued a tweet "clarifying that the Hockey News was still publishing." But Houpt notes McKenzie "did not delete his initial tweet, which continued to garner mournful reactions" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/19).
