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WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets agreed to a six-year, $31. Willis McGahee Jersey .5 million contract with star forward Evander Kane on Saturday night. The club issued a statement announcing the deal about 30 minutes prior to the NHLs collective bargaining agreement expiring at midnight Eastern time. "Obviously very excited about it," Kane said on a conference call. "Im grateful that the Winnipeg Jets took that leap of faith and make that kind of commitment." Kane, 21, played in 74 games with the Jets last season, recording 57 points (30-27) and 53 penalty minutes. He said he didnt feel pressure to get sign a new contract before the pending lockout. "I think obviously you want to get a deal done as soon as possible, but things like this take time and it came up to the very last hour to get a deal done," he said. "Better late than never." The Vancouver native has played in 213 career NHL games with Atlanta and Winnipeg, collecting 126 points (63-63) and 183 penalty minutes. Kane, who was originally drafted fourth overall by Atlanta in 2009, said signing just before the lockout is a strange situation. "You obviously want to play hockey," he said. "But at the same time Im kind of on cloud nine and pretty excited about this contract." Peyton Manning Youth Jersey . Striker Shane Smeltz opened the scoring after 12 minutes when he was allowed space to side-foot Leo Bertos corner into the net at the far post. Costa Barbarouses added a second, rounding goalkeeper Samson Koti and knocking the ball home in the 25th minute. Von Miller Jersey . -- Coach Bruce Boudreaus shortened debut season with the Anaheim Ducks was good enough to keep him around for a whole lot longer. http://www.shopthebroncos.com/demaryius-thomas-jersey . 1 Victoria Azarenka and reigning titlist Petra Kvitova were a trio of opening-round winners Tuesday at The Championships, Wimbledon. Peyton Manning Elite Jersey . While others perceived an improved Canadian performance over last weeks win over the U.S. Eagles, the former All Black saw his rugby team pay the price for abandoning its game plan. Knowshon Moreno Jersey . Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., and Stephanie Dubois of Laval, Que., also received a spot in the womens doubles draw. Wozniak was already on the Canadian team in singles while Pospisil had been selected as Daniel Nestors mens doubles teammate.NEW ORLEANS - Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says he isnt taking any of Drew Brees recent complaints about the slow pace of contract negotiations personally. "I feel for him. I feel with him. He wants to be here right now. I want him to be here right now and well work hard to get that accomplished," Loomis said Friday while attending an event at the Saints Hall of Fame. "Its important to Drew, but its important to our team. The magnitude of this contract is going to impact our team for a long period of time, so weve got to get it right. Its got to be right for Drew, but its got to be right for our team as well." Loomis, as he typically does when talking about contracts, declined to go into specifics about the sticking points holding up the deal or even to offer a range of financial figures being discussed. Loomis went to the teams Hall of Fame for the announcement of the 2012 inductees, former running back Deuce McAllister and longtime team owner Tom Benson. Benson said Brees would be in uniform for the Saints this season, but added that the record-setting quarterback and Loomis have to work out some details first. "Theres money involved, you know, and two people have some difference of opinion, but its going to be worked out," Benson said. "I assure you that Drew Brees will be playing here, OK?" Brees said earlier this week that he is frustrated by the lack of communication and lack of urgency to get a deal done. Loomis says he understands Brees frustration and respects his desire to rejoin his teammates. "I feel like we have a great relationship and these things sometimes can strain that," Loomis said. Champ Bailey Jersey. "Drews passionate about being with the Saints and I respect that a lot. I know that he wants to be here and hes frustrated that hes not with the team, and look, I respect that and respect him a lot for that. If he didnt care, he wouldnt say a word, right? "These contracts are personal issues for players. I recognize that," Loomis continued. "I dont have any hard feelings or anything about it. Drew wants to get signed and I respect that." The Saints have placed an exclusive franchise tag on Brees, virtually locking him into New Orleans for this season. However, Brees has said he wants a long-term deal with more security and so far has decided to stay away from team headquarters for voluntary off-season workouts. The Saints begin off-season practices known as organized team activities on Tuesday, and Brees has said he would miss those, as well as minicamp and possibly training camp if two sides fail to come to terms. Loomis did not offer any hints about how much work remains to be done on the contract or how far apart the two sides are. "Were not done yet. Thats how I would characterize it," Loomis said. "Negotiations are hard sometimes. ... Its a common part of our business. "Look, we love Drew Brees, every fan of the New Orleans Saints loves Drew Brees. So do I," Loomis continued. "No one wants to get him signed more than I do. ... But we also want to have the best team we can have on the field. ... Weve just got to get it right." ' ' '