4:23 PM ET Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says the state’s five professional sports teams — the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and New England Revolution — can resume practicing at their respective facilities on June 6. But Baker made clear the reopening of those facilities must be done

7:00 AM ET With the NHL announcing its plans to return this summer, we caught up with Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour to see how he’s approaching the unconventional postseason. In an appearance on ESPN on Ice this week, Brind’Amour discussed why his team was one of two to vote against the 24-team format, how

6:36 PM ET Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a five-year lease extension to remain in PNC Arena through July 2029. Arena owner Centennial Authority and Hurricanes parent company Gale Force Sports and Entertainment announced the agreement Thursday. The current lease agreement runs through the end of June 2024. The News

3:34 PM ET Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel said he’s “fed up” with the franchise’s futility after the team’s ninth straight season without a playoff berth, which covers the entirety of the 23-year-old star’s career. “Listen, I’m fed up with the losing and I’m fed up and I’m frustrated. You know, it’s definitely not an

2:36 PM ET Associated Press Since the NHL is planning to go straight to the playoffs, it’s handing out a handful of trophies for the regular season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Not long after unveiling a 24-team right-to-the playoffs format, the league on Thursday announced the winners of its regular-season awards. Play was

7:00 AM ET Over the past two decades, there have been only two seasons in which USA Hockey reported dips in participation: 2004-05 and 2012-13. Both seasons corresponded with the NHL season being disrupted by a lockout. The NHL is desperate to return to the ice this summer to complete the 2019-20 season, award a

9:30 AM ET The conversation I’ve been having inside my head this week: Hockey Brain: “Hooray, hockey’s comin’ back!” Cynical Brain: “This 24-team tournament and elaborate draft lottery are merely the framework for a possible return to finish the 2019-20 NHL season. It’s candy for the sugar-starved. It’s a shiny object for those seeking willful

7:00 AM ET When the NHL announced that a modified playoff format was in the works in an effort to resume play, starved hockey fans rejoiced. One of them is WWE superstar and Hall of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland, who grew up just outside of Toronto. “[I feel] such joy that there’s going to be

4:53 PM ET Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins will head into whatever becomes of the NHL postseason without forward Nick Bjugstad. The team announced Wednesday that Bjugstad underwent spinal surgery to repair a herniated disk. General manager Jim Rutherford said the surgery was necessary after Bjugstad had a “setback” while recovering from a

2:22 PM ET ESPN News Services The Vancouver Canucks are considering moving training camp to the United States because of Canada’s 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for those arriving in the country. Canucks general manager Jim Benning said the team is still in the early stages of that possibility. He said he has talked to colleagues