PIERRE MCGUIRE'S In the Crease

Help is coming for the slumping Oilers. First-round picks Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and Jordan Eberle have been dominant at the World Junior Championships. The speedy Paajarvi-Svensson (three goals, six assists) is an NHL-ready wing while center Eberle (six goals, five assists) is a pure scorer.... Hall of Fame center Mark Messier, in his role as special consultant to the Rangers, is scouting the world juniors. The best player in New York's system has been Team USA center Derek Stepan, the tournament's leading scorer (three goals, nine assists). But Messier is enamored with 17-year-old Canadian wing Taylor Hall (five goals, four assists; below). He's big and fast, and should be the top pick in next summer's entry draft.

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RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES (HALL)