Willie Mitchell

Not much Winnipeg Jets news this morning, but we expect to hear from the NHLPA later today and learn what their "alternative view" on what the CBA should look like. CBA News Globe & Mail: NHL, union taking different routes. If he locks out the season, does Gary Bettman still earn his $8 million per year salary? The Canadian Press: NHLPA executive director Fehr: Union will present 'alternative view' to league. Anyone else having flashbacks of 2004? If only we had a World Cup to look forward to. Detroit Free Press: NHLPA expected to give owners a counter proposal today when CBA negotiations resume in Toronto. We should get some real news today from the NHLPA, and then the negotiating can officially begin. Hopefully the two sides can come together before the CBA expires...with so much at stake, you think they'd be able to...right? Detroit Free Press: NHL could wait almost until game time before canceling 2013 Winter Classing in event of a lockout. If there is a lockout, will there still be HBO's 24/7? Would the show be more or less interesting if there was a lockout. At first thought, you'd think it would be less interesting because the players wouldn't be playing hockey, and the arenas would be empty. But HBO's team is so good at making anything interesting, I think I would still watch. NHL News The Gazette: Canadiens sign Max Pacioretty to a six-year contract extension. It's a six year deal for the 22 year old, worth $27 million ($4.5 average annual value). He would have been a restricted free agent with arbitration after the end of this season. Last season was his fourth NHL season and he scored 33 goals and 32 assists for 65 points. For comparison's sake, Evander Kane had 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points. Raleigh News Observer: Hurricanes make significant progress, but aren't done yet. Their off season included acquisitions of Jordan Staal and signings of Alex Semin and Joe Corvo have made the Hurricanes playoff contenders. Hopefully for Jets fans their division rivals are done upgrading for this season. Eye on Hockey: Incredible photo from Willie Mitchell's day with the Stanley Cup. I might have to start following @KeeperoftheCup on twitter. Fire & Ice: Devils' debt deadline likely to pass with no action from lenders. The Devils are $77 million in debt, that's a spicy meatball! The Tennessean: Nashville Predators CEO Jeff Cogen knows team's money limits. Apparently signing Shea Weber was within that limit. Tampa Bay Times: Lightning's Mattias Ohlund better, but ice time is still distant. He's six months removed from major knee surgery and won't be ready for the start of the season. The Swedish defenseman will make $5 million next season and has four years $11.75 million left on his contract. Vancouver Province: Tanev working hard on becoming big shot. The former Manitoba Moose defenseman is trying to improve his offensive game. Junior Hockey Tournaments The Canadian Press: Russia edges Canada in Game 3 of junior hockey exhibition series. Russia now leads 2-1. The Canadian Press: Canada opens Hlinka tournament with win over Swiss. Nathan MacKinnon, who is projected to go first overall in next year's draft had a goal and two assists. follow me on twitter @mremis

Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Saturday Morning NHL Papers (Western Conference): Talk of blowing up Oilers on hold as team wins 5th straight, Boo birds rain down on Hawks, Should Miikka Kiprusoff be a Hart trophy candidate?

On the Beat (Western Conference): Hossa hopes to reach top with Hawks, Craig Anderson returns to South Florida, Oilers making mental errors.