PIERRE MCGUIRE'S In the Crease

Two former first-round picks in their third seasons are being dangled as trade bait: Oilers center Andrew Cogliano and Coyotes center Peter Mueller. Cogliano is coming off two 18-goal seasons and has world-class speed; Mueller (below) has excellent size (6'2", 204 pounds) and tremendous skill (22 goals as a rookie). But both have struggled this season. Should they be dealt, it will help set the value for potential-rich but not-yet-established young players around the league .... The rejuvenated Kings (on a 109-point pace after 79 last season) could be a lasting powerhouse. Fourth-year G.M. Dean Lombardi has stocked the farm system with top prospects such as center Brayden Schenn, goalie Jonathan Bernier and defenseman Nicolas Deslauriers. L.A. also has plenty of cap room.

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NORM HALL/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES (MUELLER)