NBC Sports presents exclusive live coverage of 2016 NHL Draft Friday at 7 p.m. on NBCSN

NHL Draft coverage begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with NHL pre-draft special on NBCSN

NBC Sports will provide live coverage of the 2016 NHL Draft this Friday, June 24 (7 p.m. ET), on NBCSN, with an exclusive presentation of the first round from First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Coverage begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with a 30-minute NHL Draft pre-draft special on NBCSN. In addition, NBCSN will also provide live coverage of the 2016 NHL Awards tomorrow at 7 p.m.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide streaming coverage of the NHL Draft and NHL Awards.

2016 NHL Draft

Americans Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk and Finnish forwards Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi headline this year's draft class. Matthews, who is projected to be the first overall selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs, played for Zurich SC in Switzerland this year, and led the club with 24 goals in just 36 regular-season games. Tkachuk, son of former NHL forward and 500-goal scorer Keith Tkachuk, recorded 107 points (30 goals, 77 assists) in 57 games for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League this season, and scored the overtime game-winner in the Memorial Cup Final for the Knights.

This year's draft could be the first time ever that two Finnish players are selected in the first three overall picks, and the first time since 2002 that a pair of Finnish players could be drafted in the first four picks. In the 2002 NHL Draft, the Atlanta Thrashers selected Kari Lehtonen No. 2 overall, while the Philadelphia Flyers used the No. 4 pick to select Joni Pitkanen.

Liam McHugh will host coverage alongside Emmy Award-winning analyst Pierre McGuire and NHL insiders Bob McKenzie and Craig Button. In addition, Kathryn Tappen will anchor coverage from the floor of First Niagara Center, conducting interviews with players, coaches and general managers. Darren Dreger will handle reporting duties, providing information on potential trades and developing storylines.

Coverage will feature interviews and features with all of the top 2016 NHL Draft prospects, including Matthews and Tkachuk.

2016 NHL Awards

NBC Sports presents coverage of the 2016 NHL Awards tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on NBCSN from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, hosted by actor and comedian Will Arnett. Awards that will be announced on Wednesday night include the winners of Hart Trophy (most valuable player), Calder Trophy (top rookie), Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) and Norris Trophy (top defenseman).

Click here for more information on the 2016 NHL Awards, including a full list of award finalists.