UPDATE ( 7:05 p.m. ET): For the latest rumors and draft picks, follow our live tracker right here.
6:53 p.m.: All eyes are on Edmonton as the minutes tick down.
6:48 p.m.: The latest on a potential deal for Shattenkirk:
6:36 p.m.: The draft is about 30 minutes away, and deals could be imminent.
6:26 p.m.: This would be quite the blockbuster.
6:21 p.m.: Potentially bad news for the other NHL teams interested in Kevin Shattenkirk’s services:
6:10 p.m.: The Boston Bruins could be after Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw.
5:58 p.m.: P.K. Subban may be staying put, after all.
5:45 p.m.: Cam Fowler’s stock could be dropping.
5:42 p.m.: The Wild have some extra cap space after buying out Thomas Vanek, and the Oilers could be a willing trade partner.
5:23 p.m.: The New York Rangers could make Daniel Girardi and Marc Staal available, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.
5:13 p.m.: The Buffalo Sabres reportedly are showing interest in Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov.
5:10 p.m.: The Flames and Blue Jackets could be closing in on a deal.
4:55 p.m.: The Winnipeg Jets reportedly aren’t interested in parting with their No. 2 overall selection — yet.
4:52 p.m.: Keep your eyes on the Flames, folks. Their general manager appears to be stoking the fire.
4:48 p.m: Calgary might be interested in another Eastern Conference goaltender if Ben Bishop’s asking price is too high.
4:33 p.m.: The Flames aren’t interested in trading defenseman Dougie Hamilton, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
4:25 p.m.: The Calgary Flames reportedly have their eyes on two big-name goaltenders.
4:15 p.m.: The Lightning have locked up another forward ahead of the draft.
3:53 p.m.: TSN’s Darren Dreger sees a couple potential draft trades involving Anaheim Ducks forward Cam Fowler.
3:45 p.m.: The latest on the Subban trade rumors:
3:40 p.m.: The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up forward J.T. Brown ahead of Thursday night’s draft.
3:30 p.m.: Vanek’s buyout is official, per Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.
3:25 p.m.: Could Vanek wind up somewhere in the Big Apple?
3:23 p.m.: The Wild could be in position to add some talent with Vanek’s contract out of the picture.
3:15 p.m.: The numbers behind Vanek’s reported buyout:
3:10 p.m.: It appears Thomas Vanek’s days with the Minnesota Wild are over.
2:51 p.m.: The Dallas Stars also could be in the mix, per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.
2:50 p.m.: The Florida Panthers reportedly could be a possible destination for Shaw if the Blackhawks can’t re-sign him.
2:40 p.m: It appears Andrew Shaw is commanding quite the high price. Could the Chicago Blackhawks move him instead?
1:45 p.m. ET: Draft day finally is upon us.
The 2016 NHL Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday night at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, with the Toronto Maple Leafs set to make the first overall selection.
There’s plenty that could happen between now and then, however, as rumors already are flying about potential draft-night trades. Among the more prominent names in the rumor mill: Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban, who reportedly could be on the trading block, and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, who reportedly has drawn interest from the Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.
The chatter likely will heat up as first pick approaches, so stay tuned to our live blog for all the latest rumors and updates.
Check out NESN.com’s final 2016 NHL Mock Draft >>
Thumbnail photo via Bruce Fedyck/USA TODAY Sports Images
