Boston sports this week: Red Sox find their manager, NHL Lockout presses on

Going into the weekend, it looked like the Patriots and Jets would steal the spotlight. That is, until the Red Sox hired John Farrell. The announcement was made official on Sunday, and the team will hold a press conference early this week. Farrell's hiring aside, here's what else is on tap here in Boston.

Boston Red Sox

At long last, the Boston Red Sox have finally reached a resolution in their search for a managerial replacement for Bobby Valentine. Almost three full weeks after the firing of Bobby V, the Red Sox agreed to a trade that would bring the one man they've wanted to manage their baseball team for over a year now; former pitching coach John Farrell. Right-handed pitcher David Carpenter will be coming to the Hub as part of the deal, while shortstop Mike Aviles will be headed north of the border to consummate the trade. If the Red Sox' brass truly believe that Farrell is the answer as manager and will lead the team to future success, then this is a brilliant trade for the team, as they are able to acquire their manager without surrendering any of their top young prospects that may prove valuable in the trade market this winter. A press conference to re-introduce Farrell to the Boston media is expected to come this week. Other than that, not much looks to be on the horizon for the Red Sox.

Boston Bruins

As the lock-out continues to drag on deep into the month of October, the NHL has decided to cancel all regular season games up until November 2, 2012. After a disappointing breakdown in negotiations last week, the two sides haven't gone public with any plans for future discussions on a new league CBA. I wouldn't panic yet, hockey fans, but if a new deal isn't in place by this time next month, you may as well kiss this season goodbye.

Boston Celtics

After dropping their final preseason game, 88-79, to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers at the TD Garden on Sunday night, the Boston Celtics will have a full week of practice work ahead of them in advance of their 2012-13 season-opener against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday, October 30.

New England Patriots

The Patriots escaped from Gillette Stadium with a victory over the division rival New York Jets this past Sunday to improve their record to 4-3 and take control of first place in the AFC East. This week will pose a brand new challenge for the Patriots, as they will fly to London, England for a game against the St. Louis Rams. New head football coach Jeff Fisher has the Rams playing tough this season, led by young defensive studs Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. If the Patriots are able to pull out a victory this week, they will enter the bye-week with a 5-3 record, which was the same mark that they posted through eight games last season.

Boston College Football

Another week and another blowout loss for the Boston College football program. This time it was by way of a 37-17 defeat in Atlanta at the hands of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In four ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) games this season, the Eagles have allowed 41, 45, 51 and 37 points, respectively. This week, the Eagles will welcome in the 4-3 (2-1) Maryland Terrapins to Alumni Stadium for their fifth conference clash of the season.

Hockey East

The defending National Champion Boston College Eagles hockey team enjoyed a successful weekend, defeating the University of Massachusetts Minutemen 5-4 in overtime out in Amherst before returning home to Conte Forum to raise their championship banner and pick up a 3-0 win over the Northeastern Huskies while they were at it. The Eagles will be back on the ice this coming weekend in a home-and-home series with the Riverhawks from UMass-Lowell. The Huskies will play two this weekend with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. In other home-and-home series this weekend, the Merrimack Warriors will face-off with the Vermont Catamounts and the Minutemen of UMass will take on Jack Parker and his Boston University Terriers.

Ben Woodward is a Contributor to SB Nation Boston. Twitter: @_BWoodward