NHL expecting on-time finish
Despite postponing more than 100 games for coronavirus-related reasons, the NHL is still on track to complete the regular season on time by the end of April.
Though it came at the expense of players competing in the Beijing Olympics, the new schedule keeps the top hockey league in the world on pace to award the Stanley Cup before July 1.
The NHL on Wednesday revealed new dates for 98 postponed games, keeping the initial target date of April 29 for the end of the regular season. That would allow the traditional 16-team playoffs to begin in early May as originally planned.
The changes include moving 23 other games around and 95 games filling the Feb. 722 gap that previously was scheduled for the Olympic break.
ETC. Arians receives $50,000 fine
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said he’ll appeal a $50,000 fine imposed by the NFL for slapping the helmet of one of his players during Sunday’s 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Arians said he was trying to prevent safety Andrew Adams from drawing a penalty for pulling players out of a pile when he stepped a short distance off the sideline and struck the player’s helmet with his hand before trying to push Adams away from Eagles players.
“I will appeal it,” Arians said. “It ain’t got nothing to do with the game, so we’re good.”
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that affected his play and led to a disappointing season in Cleveland. Mayfield will need months of rehabilitation but is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Browns hold offseason workouts . ... Jalen Hurts will be the starting quarterback next season for the Philadelphia Eagles, general manager Howie Roseman said . ... The Green Bay Packers released defensive lineman Kingsley Keke, who made eight starts this season but hadn’t played in their last three games.
The Denver Nuggets acquired veteran wing player Bryn Forbes from San Antonio as part of a three-team deal that also included Boston. The Nuggets sent injured players Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier to Boston, and the Celtics dealt Juancho Hernangomez to San Antonio. The Spurs also will receive a future second-round draft pick from the Nuggets.
UCLA has found its new tight ends coach in Jeff Faris, who served in a variety of positions in a decade at Duke.
After the completion of his playing career with the Blue Devils, Faris rose from graduate assistant to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season.
He had also served as the wide receivers coach for four seasons and the tight ends coach for three seasons before being promoted to his most recent role a year ago. Faris will be 32 in March.
— Ben Bolch
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett announced on social media he is returning for another season after leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship in 41 years. J.T. Daniels, who transferred to Georgia from USC, again entered the transfer portal as he seeks a new school for his final year of eligibility.
The University of Michigan announced a $490-million settlement with more than 1,000 people who said they were sexually assaulted by a sports doctor during his nearly four-decade career at the school. Individuals and their attorneys will determine how to split $460 million, with no input from the university.
The United States’ men’s team will play its final home World Cup qualifier at Orlando, Fla., on March 27 against Panama . ... CONCACAF will institute video review during the final two rounds of World Cup qualifying starting next week . ... Honduran midfielder Bryan Acosta agreed to a two-year deal with the Colorado Rapids . ... Former Brazil forward Robinho had a nine-year sentence for the rape of a young woman upheld by Italy’s top court.
The Cleveland Guardians promoted Joe Torres to assistant pitching coach on manager Terry Francona’s staff.