Predators match Shea Weber offer sheet; captain will remain in Nashville

As negotiations with the NHL resumed, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr indicated that the union was getting close to responding to the league’s initial proposal, which included a decreased share of hockey-related revenue, term limits on contracts and a 22 percent salary rollback.

“I doubt that it will be weeks — plural,” Fehr said. “But could it be two? Yeah. It could be two, it could be less.”

The sides have entered gently into talks. This week’s three-day session in Toronto marks the fifth consecutive week Fehr and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman have sat across the table from one another, but they still seem to be feeling their way into the process.

Bruins still working after Julien extension

BOSTON — The Bruins signed coach Claude Julien to a contract extension. In five seasons with Boston, Julien has a record of 228-132-50.

The 2009 NHL coach of the year and 2011 Stanley Cup champion is third in franchise history with 410 games coached and fourth in wins, trailing Art Ross, Milt Schmidt and Don Cherry. Under Julien, the Bruins have never missed the playoffs, going 36-27 in the postseason since he arrived in 2007.

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