The NHL Trade Deadline is at 3:00pm ET today, and in Canada, both Sportsnet and TSN "have blocked off 10 straight hours of live coverage." The nets are "throwing as much firepower as ever at the day, firm in the belief that it is circled in hard-core fans’ calendars." They "both hit the air" at 8:00am, "with radio shows setting the stage hours earlier" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/2). So far in NHL trading, "draft picks have been moving at a fast and furious pace." It is a "seller's market and much more selling could be coming before the clock runs out" (CP, 3/1).

TSN confirmed that Dustin Penner "has been pulled" from today's coverage after the free agent LW on Saturday "made a joke about rape on Twitter." Penner was slated to be on the air with Cabral ‘Cabbie’ Richards to "give a different-type of take on the deadline" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/1). When pressed for an apology, Penner was "less than sincere." He appeared to show "brief remorse" but "elected not to delete the tweets" (QMI AGENCY, 3/1).

Converse today announced the launch of a global brand campaign dubbed "Made by you," in which it will roll out a series of distinct Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers. Each shoe is meant to offer a kind of self-portrait of its original owner. Personalities such as musician Patti Smith and artist Andy Warhol will be included in the collection, along with versions from everyday consumers. The celebrity versions also will be used in global exhibitions. Activation will include point-of-sale, social media and special launch exhibitions (Converse).

Staples Center has eclipsed $100M in premium seat sales for the first time in the arena's 15-year history, according to officials with AEG, the facility's owner and operator. In addition to all 150 suites and 2,377 Premier club seats under contract, the San Manuel Club's Premier tables and lounges have sold out, totaling about $4M in sales. AEG built the loge-style tables and lounges prior to the '13-14 season. The 150 suites, a mix of long-term leases and single-game sales, have sold out for the sixth consecutive year.

T'Wolves F Kevin Garnett has bought 1,000 tickets for tonight's home game against the Clippers "as a way to say thanks to fans for their warm welcome upon his return to the team last week." Beginning at 9:00am CT, the "first 500 fans to claim the tickets on www.timberwolves.com/kg will receive a pair of tickets." The tickets are available "only through this link" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 3/1).

A federal lawsuit over the "failure to finish installing about 1,000 temporary seats" for the '11 Super Bowl at then-Cowboys Stadium is scheduled to go to trial today in Dallas. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is "expected to be one of the first witnesses called by the plaintiffs' attorney." The roughly 400 fans who had no seats as a result of the incident have been offered "at least $5,000 in reimbursed expenses" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/2).

Golf Channel in June will debut a new series called “Altered Course,” as the net adds more original content to its programming. Golf Channel recently completed shooting in Jamaica for eight one-hour episodes of the reality competition series with eight two-person teams competing on score and time to complete re-imagined holes. The golfers must navigate natural obstacles and terrain while playing golf as fast as possible. “Golf is still the priority but it also tests your athletic ability,” said Golf Channel VP/Programming Development & Original Productions Keith Allo. “We used 40 cameras. The way you will see golf will be unlike anything you have seen.”

The Thunder unveiled a new uniform that the team will wear for its final four Sunday home games this regular season, starting March 8. The uniform is white with a sleeved top (Thunder).

A crowd of 42,563 attended RFD-TV's The American rodeo yesterday at AT&T Stadium. The "high-profile rodeo is the brainchild" of RFD-TV CEO Randy Bernard, who previously ran IndyCar and PBR (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/2).

Garmin announced sponsorship deals with snowboarders Mark McMorris and Silje Norendal. Garmin also sponsors the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, which begin today in Vail, Colo. (Garmin).

Knicks Owner James Dolan reportedly "wants to buy" the N.Y. Daily News and has a "team of bankers exploring the possibility" (N.Y. POST, 3/2).

The Daily Payoff, a U.S.-based site that will cover the business aspects of the gaming and gambling industries, will officially launch this week. The site will be housed and powered by SportsBlog (The Daily Payoff).

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick said that an exhibit "set to to travel the country this year will be dedicated" to Minnie Minoso, who died over the weekend. The exhibit focuses on Spanish-speaking players in the Negro Leagues (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 3/1).

"It's been fun to watch from the outside. I've known A.J. [Preller] for a long time, but I've been impressed with how aggressive he's been" – A's Assistant GM David Forst, on the new Padres GM (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/2).

"I am very frustrated with the fact that there are no SAFER barriers down there" – NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, on hitting an unprotected part of the wall yesterday during the Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway (WASHINGTON POST, 3/2).

"A lot of details have to get played out. We're looking at changing behavior, not criminalizing anybody" – California state Rep. Tony Thurmond, on potential enforcement of a proposed bill introduced last week that would prohibit all tobacco use at any California baseball venue (L.A. TIMES, 3/2).

"That long time, giving a player six, seven days off, where basically they go to Hawaii or the Bahamas and don't do anything, has it become counter-productive? Are we going to have more injuries when they come back? I think we kind of have to evaluate that after the season" – T'Wolves President and coach Flip Saunders, on the new, longer NBA All-Star break (AP, 3/2).

MIAMI HERALD headline: "Bad Idea All Around To Hold 2022 World Cup In Qatar." There "isn’t much good about the decision to keep the Cup in Qatar. Summer? Winter? Makes no difference. It’s a bad place to hold the Cup."

The TAMPA BAY TIMES notes Rays President Brian Auld made a "bad first impression" at a St. Petersburg City Council meeting in December. It is a "perception that continues to shadow the ongoing negotiations between the Rays and the mayor in the search for a new deal" on a Rays ballpark.

Also: 

• What if college football had an NIT-style postseason tourney?
• Pawtucket tries to shake off the loss of Triple-A Red Sox.
• What are Kevin Garnett's former T'Wolves teammates up to?
• Grantland.com celebrating director Errol Morris' work this week.

NHL trade deadline day, aka, the day every single #Habs fan on the planet & beyond believes they're a better GM than Marc Bergevin

— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) March 2, 2015

This late-night Lightning-Bruins trade will ensure TSN and Sportsnet start their trade deadline shows at midnight next year.

— Guy Spurrier (@grspur) March 2, 2015

Pretty convenient to c that SAFER Barrier end just before @jeffgordonweb pounds wall. Hope he's healthy! When will this end @NASCAR

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 1, 2015

I'm very excited for everyone to see this. He was the best. This show reminds us that he was one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/YFAttTkHfG

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 2, 2015

(S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/2).

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Authors and Filmmakers.”

“This author had a bitter feud with Michael Moore over the title of a 2004 documentary.”

The “Weekend Update” news segment on “SNL” featured Michael Che reporting, “Alex Rodriguez reported to Yankees spring training this week after completing his 162-game suspension. ‘You know, it feels good to be back at work,’ said A-Rod’s steroid dealer” (“SNL,” NBC, 2/28).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “Thank you Cleveland Browns for debuting a new logo this week that’s virtually identical to your old logo. More importantly, it’s still not brown” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 2/27).

“Who is Ray Bradbury?”

Bradbury’s best known work is “Fahrenheit 451” and Moore titled his ‘04 documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” without seeking permission from Bradbury.