The NHL lockout has gone too far already.
In just the third day of the lockout, the Florida Panthers began laying off employees, including the beloved Panthers mascot, Stanley C. Panther. Yes, that's right: even the NHL mascots are victims of the lockout.
The Panthers released an official statement, which can be found after the jump.
Sunrise Sports & Entertainment today released the following statement from President & COO Michael R. Yormark:
"Due primarily to the NHL work stoppage, but also due to changes and efficiencies in our normal business operations, SSE and the Florida Panthers instituted a number of staff adjustments today including staff reductions.
"We thank all of those former staff members for their efforts, while SSE's human resources department has volunteered to work with these former staff members to assist them in finding new employment."
Somebody ought to hold Yomark to his statement, saying the human resources department will help staff members find new employment -- especially Stanley C. Panther.
Perhaps the NHL could get together with Capital One and allow NHL mascots to enter the Mascot Challenge, or maybe the owners and players could just get a deal done, so that everyone can have their jobs back.