LEAGUE NOTES

     The "behind-the-scenes battle" between Blackhawks management
(namely Owner Bill Wirtz) and NHL brass (namely Senior VP Brian
Burke) "went public" yesterday when Wirtz produced a Burke letter
promising to watch tonight's game with the Red Wings with "great
interest."  Some Blackhawks players had promised retaliation for
a slash by Detroit's Igor Larionov Sunday that broke the leg of
Chicago's Steve Smith.  Wirtz, to reporters as he produced the
letter:  "I want you to know the (bleep) we put up with."  From
the response to Burke by Blackhawks General Counsel Eugene
Gozdecki:  "We really wish you had given us such special
attention throughout the season because it might have resulted in
less injuries to our players along with better officiating"
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/12)....Final sign-off on the NFL's
"tentatively approved" CBA extension has been postponed
indefinitely (USA TODAY, 4/12).