Sports People

The Phoenix Coyotes suspended captain Keith Tkachuk - whose 52 goals led the NHL last season - after he refused to play without renegotiating his contract that has three years left… . Pittsburgh Penguins center Stu Barnes was suspended, without pay, for four games - including two preseason games - and fined the maximum $1,000 by the NHL for slashing Boston Bruins prized rookie Joe Thornton. Expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks with a chip fracture in his left wrist, Thornton may be back in as few as two weeks, the Bruins said… . Eric Lindros, in the final year of a six-year, $22 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, turned down a three-year offer of almost $27 million and may play out his option.

Under an agreement reached with promoter Don King, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas terminated a contract that had one more Mike Tyson fight remaining… . Figure skater Scott Hamilton, recovering from cancer, plans to return in an exhibition Oct. 29 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., which will air on CBS this fall… . Vincent Askew has signed a contract, believed to be for the NBA minimum of $272,250, with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Marv Albert’s accuser, Vanessa Perhach said Friday that she doesn’t want to see Albert go to jail after he pleaded guilty to assault and battery Thursday. Perhach no longer wants her identity concealed by the media.