NEGOTIATIONS between the NHL and the union for its on-ice officials, whose CBA expired at the end of the playoffs, is not going so well. We’re told that the referees and linesmen are pressing for an extended agreement that would include 2004-05 lockout protection while the NHL is standing firm on a three-year offer that would expose the officials to the hardships of the potential (and likely) extended work stoppage.

We’ve also been told not to be surprised to see, uh, replacement officials on the ice when the exhibition season commences next month.