Panthers star close to return
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said he is close to making his season debut after knee surgery that has kept him out.
On Tuesday, Barkov says his return comes "soon," but he did not give a date. He has skated for weeks as he finishes rehab from torn ligaments in his right knee.
Barkov, who has been named the NHL's top defenseman the past two seasons, also announced a donation of at least $1 million to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. The hospital named its sports medicine area for him.
Florida has 25 games left and sits eight points out of a wild-card spot.
UK coach gets fined by SEC
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky coach Mark Pope was fined $25,000 by the Southeastern Conference for his "post-game conduct and comments" related to officiating following the Wildcats' 75-74 loss to Auburn on Saturday, the league announced Tuesday.
Pope's comments were in violation of an SEC Bylaw that deal with sportsmanship for coaches and student-athletes concerning officiating.
According to reports from multiple outlets, Pope used a profanity to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart as he left the postgame podium.
The Associated Press