Lemieux Plans Comeback

Mario Lemieux has told friends and family he’s returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’ll tell the world today.

Lemieux’s return to the sport he dominated as a four-time NHL scoring champion will be announced in a news conference that may detail how many games he plans to play next season.

Lemieux, who will be 30 in October, sat out the 1994-95 season to rest following five years of persistent back problems, a bout with Hodgkin’s disease and anemia.

Lemieux has told Penguins chairman Howard Baldwin he will play again, but the terms of his return have not been entirely worked out.

Darryl Sutter announced he is quitting as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL after three seasons to devote more time to his family.

Sutter, 36, who had a 110-80-26 record, has been with the Blackhawks since they drafted him in the 11th round in 1978. He will remain a special assistant to general manager Bob Pulford.

The Bank of America and MajesticAnschutz Venture L.P. have agreed to provide the financially troubled Los Angeles Kings with a $10.5 million cash infusion for day-to-day operations.