ATB PUTS OUT AN APB FOR LOCAL BUYER INTERESTED IN OILERS

          The Alberta Treasury Branches (ATB) "has extended its
     deadline for local buyers looking to purchase the
     financially troubled" NHL Oilers until midnight Sunday,
     according to Jac MacDonald of the EDMONTON JOURNAL. 
     MacDonald write the ATB "wants to be cautious and ensure
     there is every opportunity for local buyers to take
     advantage" of the notice period (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 12/12). 
     In Toronto, Allan Maki writes that the feeling in Edmonton
     is that "no viable, acceptable offer will be made until
     [Oilers Owner Peter] Pocklington is completely out of the
     picture.  Perhaps the only way to do that is through
     receivership, with the ATB calling in its tab and
     Pocklington being forced to separate his hockey team from
     his web of indebtness."  But Maki adds that there are no
     immediate plans for that (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/12).