3:57 p.m.: It’s never over till it’s over, but, well, this one is over.

Overall, the trade deadline gets a B- in terms of excitement. It wasn’t insane, but there were still a number of big/surprising deals that took place. And we saw our first ever captain-for-captain trade.

Until next year…

3:42 p.m.: Jaroslav Halak, who went to the Sabres last weekend in the Ryan Miller deal, has been traded to Washington, according to Lavoie.

3:30 p.m.: Chris Johnston reports that the Canadiens sent Sebastien Collberg to the Islanders in the deal. He’s a 20-year-old prospect who’s playing in Sweden.

3:21 p.m.: We have an answer to the mystery: Thomas Vanek was traded to the Canadiens.

BREAKING: Thomas Vanek lands with #habs. — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2014

Well, then.

Pierre LeBrun reports the Habs will send a second-round pick and a prospect to the Islanders.

3:16 p.m.: In the meantime, David Legwand has been traded to the Red Wings.

Still waiting on Vanek details.

3:12 p.m.: And here’s the big one we were all waiting for.

TSN says that Thomas Vanek has been traded.

The thing is … nobody knows where he’s been traded just yet. Stay tuned…

3:11 p.m.: John Vogl reports that Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick have been traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for an unknown draft pick and Torrey Mitchell.

3:07 p.m.: Elliote Friedman reports that Ryan Kesler indeed will remain a Vancouver Canuck.

Kesler was not traded. VAN no moves other than Diaz. — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2014

3:04 p.m.: Darren Dreger said on TSN that he’s hearing it’s a “99 percent” chance that Brodeur stays in Jersey. So .. there’s that.

The Rangers acquired Raphael Diaz from Vancouver.

3 p.m.: The deadline has arrived. No deals can be made after this, but you should expect at least one or two deals to trickle out in the news in the coming minutes. And so, we wait….

If the Islanders didn’t trade Vanek or Moulson, that’d be rather surprising.

The fact that Kesler didn’t move (yet) is less surprising, though it still looked like he’d be on the move.

We’ll see what moves come down the wire post-deadline, but there is a chance that we’re done here.

2:46 p.m.: The Bruins have finally joined the fun, acquring Andrej Meszaros for a third-round pick, according to Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy.

2:25 p.m.: Bummer! The Tim Thomas-Roberto Luongo pairing lasted all of 20 some-odd hours, as Bob McKenzie tweets that Tim Thomas will be going to Dallas.

The Stars are currently hanging on to the second wild-card spot in the West.

Details to follow. But for now … just sadness.

Even Roberto Luongo is upset!

Thomas will spend the rest of the season like he spent the second half of the 2009-10 season and postseason: Being a backup to a Finnish netminder.

The Blue Jackets also acquired Nick Schultz from Edmonton. Aaron Portzline says Schultz cost Columbus a fifth-rounder.

The market for Matt Moulson also appears to be coming to a head. Look for Moulson and Vanek to be on the move in the next 30 minutes or less … or else it’s free. Or something like that.

1:53 p.m.: Another trade here, as Marcel Goc goes to the Penguins, with the Panthers receiving a third- and fifth-round pick.

Goc, 30, has 11-12-23 totals in 62 games this season.

TSN also reports that Tuomo Ruutu has been traded to the Devils, with details still to come.

1:40 p.m.: We’re waiting now. It’s getting down to nut-cutting time, when the prices become final and a flurry of big deals start to come down the wire. Only 80 minutes until the deadline…

1:19 p.m.: Earlier today, a reporter jumped the gun a bit by claiming Marian Gaborik to the L.A. Kings was a done deal before backtracking. Well, all’s well that ends well, because TSN reports the deal is done.

It’s a pick going back to Columbus in the deal.

In other news, Lavoie says the Flyers are out on Kesler.

Flyers are out of the Ryan Kesler derby. #tvasports — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 5, 2014

1:01 p.m.: The market for Ryan Kesler now includes the Red Wings and Wild, in addition to the Penguins, according to Renaud Lavoie.

Also, Devan Dubnyk is on the move for the second time in 2014, as he’s been traded to Montreal. That might mean Carey Price isn’t going to be healthy any time soon, which is a pretty huge loss for Montreal if that’s the case.

12:58 p.m.: Why not take a brief break from the trade deadline madness to watch David Krejci’s classic deadline day prank of Tyler Seguin from a couple of years ago?

12:35 p.m.: Here’s a bummer for all of us who were hoping for a Tim Thomas-Roberto Luongo reality show:

Doesn't sound like Tim Thomas will be united with Lou.. #Panthers talking to a few teams including #Stars — Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 5, 2014

Let’s hope no deals take place and those two crazy kids can spend their days pumping each other’s tires.

12:24 p.m.: An audible gulp can be heard from Eastern Conference GMs around the NHL, as Elliote Friedman says the Penguins might be interested in Thomas Vanek.

Think PIT is taking a look at Thomas Vanek — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2014

The Penguins are the best team in the East. Potentially adding that kind of goal-scoring talent? Look out.

And for some perspective on the Callahan-St. Louis trade:

The Martin St Louis/Ryan Callahan trade is actually the NHL's 1st captain for captain trade in the history of the NHL as far as I can trace. — Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) March 5, 2014

12:15 p.m.: Chris Phillips was supposed to be one of the veteran D-men available today, but TSN just reported that Phillips and the Senators have agreed to a two-year contact extension. He’ll get two years at $2.5 million per year, taking a relatively big name off the board for teams today.

In more Senators news, Bob McKenzie says Hemsky is going to Ottawa for draft picks.

Hearing EDM's Ales Hemsky is going to OTT for picks. No official confirmation or details just yet. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014

Two hours and 45 minutes remain until the deadline.

12:13 p.m.: Very minor Bruins addition, as the team claimed Corey Potter off waivers.

12:01 p.m.: As we pass noon on the East Coast, a funny tidbit for deadline day:

Good stat MT @SportsnetTicker last #Rangers captain traded was Mark Messier in 2003 to Sharks for a 4th Rd pick. Pick became…Ryan Callahan — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2014

11:56 a.m.: Does anybody want Ales Kemsky? Darren Dreger says the Senators and Penguins do.

Continuing to hear Ottawa and Pittsburgh in the mix for Hemsky. #Tradecentre — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 5, 2014

Hemsky, 30, has nine goals and 17 assists and a minus-13 rating for the dreadful Oilers this season. If the Penguins have to settle for Hemsky instead of, say, Kesler, that’s a loss.

11:38 a.m.: Let the rumors fly: Loui Eriksson is absent from Bruins practice for the second straight day. Eriksson missed the morning skate and the game yesterday with what Claude Julien called “a minor issue.” Might the key return from last summer’s Tyler Seguin trade be part of Peter Chiarelli’s discussions leading up to the deadline?

File under “Things that make you go ‘hmmmm.'”

11:23 a.m.: Bob McKenzie said on TSN that the St. Louis-to-Rangers deal is completed, pending a trade call.

Ryan Callahan to the Lightning, St. Louis to the Rangers. Both were captains of their teams, which is an indication of how big the change will be for both.

11:12 a.m.: Here we go. Bob McKenzie says we’re nearing the Marty St. Louis deal, with Ryan Callahan, a first-round pick and a second-round pick going to Tampa Bay.

No official confirmations (yet) but hearing NYR are prepared to trade Callahan, plus 1st rd pick and 2nd rd pick for Marty St. Louis. Close. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014

When McKenzie says it, it’s as good as gold, so it’s really just a matter of time now for the deal to be official.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: The confirmations are rolling in:

Confirming Martin St-Louis is traded to the Rangers for Ryan Callahan. #lightning #tvasports — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 5, 2014

As @TSNBobMcKenzie first reported, and I've been told same, St. Louis has been traded to the Rangers for Callahan and picks — David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 5, 2014

That deal will shape the Eastern Conference down the stretch and into the playoffs, and it’s a win for Steve Yzerman. If he had to trade an upset St. Louis, it helps to get a very valuable player back in return, even if it’s just a rental.

11 a.m.: From my perspective, reading the tea leaves and whatnot, it looks like Marty St. Louis-to-the-Rangers is just a matter of time now.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the King Of Deadline Day, tweets:

Hearing Marty St. Louis to NYR has really ramped up and may be much closer to reality. Stay tuned. #Tradecentre — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014

A veteran of Marty’s stature clearly has a lot of pull when it comes to trade partners, and for the past week-plus, New York has looked like his No. 1 choice. He may be a ranger before lunchtime.

10:58 a.m.: Rene Bourque could be on the move today.

Canadiens are trying to trade Rene Bourque. They want a quality foward in return. NYI-Kings-Avalanche are interested. #tvasports — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 5, 2014

Lavoie tweeted that Bourque has a list of 10 teams to which he can’t be traded.

10:56 a.m.: Oh no! Russo jumped the gun!

Hate to backtrack on Twitter (always fun), but now told Gaborik to #lakings is not quite done deal. Source is close to Gaborik tho — Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

So we go from “done deal” to “not quite done deal.”

Thought we had a trade there…

10:51 a.m.: Trade! Trade!

The first deal of deadline day is reportedly a “done deal,” with Rob Rossi reporting Marian Gaborik will be going to the Los Angeles Kings.

I'm hearing now Gaborik to #lakings is a done deal. Don't know for what — Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

Gaborik, 32, has just six goals and eight assists for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.

More details on the return package coming soon…

10:32 a.m.: Add another name to the list of available players to be had today:

The Stars are taking calls on veteran F Ray Whitney. #NHLTradedeadline — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 5, 2014

Whitney, 41, has 7-18-25 numbers this season, his 22nd in the NHL. He could be a solid locker room addition to a contending team that might need some leadership.

10:17 a.m.: The Canucks are apparently willing to just completely empty out their roster:

Teams continue to phone Vancouver on Alex Edler… Wasn't a chip Canucks really looking to move that much but if price is right… — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 5, 2014

What a bizarre, rapid shift for a team that was a perennial Cup contender for the past four or five years.

10:10 a.m.: The Tampa Bay Lightning just made the biggest acquisition of the deadline. They got a healthy Steven Stamkos.

Just left the doctors office. Got the green light. See you tomorrow Bolts fans. Excited to be back !! — Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) March 5, 2014

I mentioned earlier that there will be no bigger addition to any team today than Stamkos, and it looks like it’ll be made in time for the stretch run. The Lightning currently are in third place in the Atlantic, two points behind Montreal for the second spot. If I’m Steve Yzerman, I buy a box of chocolate, a dozen roses and an Xbox for Marty St. Louis today and beg him for forgiveness. I’d be much more interested in making a Cup run than I would be of acquiring a draft pick for Marty if I were running that team.

10:04 a.m.: With a bit of a refutal of the earlier report from Rob Rossi which said the Penguins aren’t convinced that Mike Gillis has the OK from ownership to trade Ryan Kesler, Craig Custance tweets the following:

If Canucks get the return they're looking for, they do have the green light from ownership to make a Kesler deal today. — Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) March 5, 2014

It looks like Vancouver wants to keep all options open today.

9:53 a.m.: The pots haven’t nearly begun to boil yet, but there’s already been plenty of scuttlebutt this morning.

One report out of Minnesota says the Wild are very interested in Buffalo’s Drew Stafford, and “it could cost a second-tier prospect, salaried player … and/or a pick,” according to Michael Russo.

The Wild got their deadline started yesterday, when they acquired Ilya Bryzgalov.

9:30 a.m.: Another of the big names — Ryan Kesler — may be losing a landing spot in Pittsburgh.

Rob Rossi reports that “the Penguins are NOT convinced Kesler will be moved by the deadline. They sense he could be moved in the summer instead. The Penguins would chase him then, too. There is a growing suspicion within the Penguins that [Vancouver GM Mike] Gillis may not be authorized by Vancouver ownership to move Kesler.”

The Penguins have been perhaps the most interested team in Kesler, so their information would likely be the best that’s out there. We’ll see if that changes today.

9:15 a.m.: The most bizarre name being bandied about on this day, Martin St. Louis, reportedly has one destination in mind: New York City.

St. Louis is “expected to encourage the trade to NYR today,” according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, and both he and Bob McKenzie are reporting that the two teams are talking. A first-round pick is being discussed right now, per Dreger.

I say that St. Louis’ name being involved is bizarre because Tampa Bay is a playoff team that is about to make the biggest deadline add in the whole league (Steven Stamkos returning from injury). If the veteran winger really is miffed that he didn’t make Team Canada’s initial roster, and he’s still in a huff at Steve Yzerman even after making the team and winning gold, then that’s pretty crazy.

8 a.m. ET: It’s sure to be a busy day in the hockey world, as deadline day has arrived.

The NHL trade deadline rarely disappoints, as GMs all around North America scramble to either load up for the stretch run or unload and collect assets in what is turning out to be a lost season.

There are plenty of big names that have been floating around in rumors over the past week or two, and several stars have already moved. Ryan Miller went to the Blues, Dustin Penner went from the Ducks to the Capitals for a fourth-round pick, Mike Weaver went from the Panthers to the Habs for a fifth-round pick, Ilya Bryzgalov went from the Oilers to the Wild for a fourth-rounder, Stephane Robidas went from Dallas to Anaheim for a fourth-round pick and Andrew MacDonald went from the Islanders to the Flyers for Matt Mangene and a second- and third-round pick. And of course, Roberto Luongo went to the Panthers.

As to what to expect today? Well, if anyone tells you they know, they’d be lying. It should be an exciting day full of news, rumors and deals, and we’ll keep track of every whisper and transaction right here in the live blog.

Follow along throughout the day leading up to the 3 p.m. ET deadline.

Read more from Michael Hurley by clicking here, or find him on Twitter @michaelFhurley.