While NHL Central Scoutings mid-term draft ranking has Kingston Frontenacs centre Sam Bennett topping the list of North American skaters, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button is standing pat with the other Sam. Justin Smoak Jersey . His January edition of Craigs List has Kootenay Ice centre Sam Reinhart at No. 1 for the fourth straight month. Reinhart represented Canada at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship, and tied for fourth in team scoring with two goals and five points in seven games. "Sam Reinhart will never wow you with flash and dash and may never even end up on TSNs HON but if you are looking for a player who can make a difference to winning, then look no further," explains Button. "He has exceptional hockey sense but more than his understanding is his adaptability. That trait allows him to play different positions, all situations in the game and combined with a high skill level, affords him the opportunity to excel. He makes teammates better by helping them play to their strengths. He make teams better with a selfless approach that is focused on overall success, not personal accolades. "Because his mind is so quick and so fast at processing, he is able to play two and three steps ahead of the competition. When I watch Sam, I think, still waters run deep and his ability to quietly control a game doesnt create waves but it certainly leads to winning." Aaron Ekblad, who also played for Canada at the world, continues to be a mainstay in the second spot. He grabbed headlines in the Ontario Hockey League this past weekend, scoring four goals (three on the power play and one shorthanded) as the Barrie Colts hammered Bennetts Frontenacs 8-5 on Saturday. "Ekblad is a pillar-type defenceman," says Button. "To be this type of a defenceman, one needs to possess an on-ice maturity. That maturity is reflected in understanding how to excel when playing 25 minutes or more versus the opponents best players in critical and important situations. "Aaron combines that maturity with an excellent understanding of what needs to be accomplished at any particular point of the game. He has an outstanding ability to play in the moment and that can manifest itself defensively, offensively and physically. He takes the initiative and is unwavering in his approach to being a catalyst for making things happen in the game that help his team win." Bennett is also holding strong on the list, rounding out the Top 3 for the third straight month. The biggest riser on the list for January is Czech-born forward David Pastrnak, who jumped 16 spots from No. 26 to tenth. He has scored seven goals and 21 points in 29 games with Sodertalje in Sweden this season and tallied three points in five games with the Czech Republic at the world juniors. "When I first saw David Pastrnak play more than two years ago, I was impressed by a willingness to try and make things happen with the puck from an offensive point of view," explains Button. "While at times coming a little short, he never was short on determination or being a player in the middle of the competitive action. He has confidence with the puck, excellent sense and feel and his skating allows him to play the game with speed and with a quick and darting ability that makes him very difficult to keep in check. "As he has physically matured, he doesnt fall short very much any longer and he shows the ability and potential to be a player who can impact the game offensively in multiple ways and be the threat opponents have to be aware of." Craig Buttons monthly Craigs List ranking is released each month from September through June. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzies mid-term draft ranking - a consensus list from several NHL scouts – will be released on TSN.ca on Jan. 23. Jack Morris Blue Jays Jersey . Of all the names out there who could realistically be dealt by Wednesdays deadline, Ryan Kesler remains No. 1 on the most desired list. And while were not sure if theyre any closer to a deal, we now have a defined price. Rowdy Tellez Blue Jays Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-billy-mckinney-jersey/ . City has reached new heights under manager Manuel Pellegrini as they transition from big spending/immediate impact to perennial contender. Yaya Toures seeming discontent Tuesday may complicate that, as does the little issue of Financial Fair Play.Barrie Colts defenceman Aaron Ekblad is still No. 1 on TSNs Lottery Edition Prospects ranking. In a survey of 12 NHL team scouts by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, Ekblad garnered seven first-place votes, ahead of the three cast for second-ranked Kootenay Ice centre Sam Reinhart. Kingston Frontenacs centre Sam Bennett had two votes, putting him in third. Bennett was ranked No. 1 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its final ranking last week, while Reinhart is the top-ranked player in this months ranking by International Scouting Services. Rounding out the top five is Prince Albert Raider centre Leon Draisaitl - the top European-born prospect on the TSN list - and Oshawa General winger Michael Dal CColle. Clayton Richard Jersey. In sixth is Peterborough Petes power forward Nick Ritchie, followed by Denmarks Nikolaj Ehlers of the Halifax Mooseheads. Calgary Hitmen power winger Jake Virtanen is eighth, while Finnish winger Kasperi Kapanen - the son of former NHL winger Sami Kapanen - is at No. 9. Finishing off the list of 12 is Red Deer blueliner Haydn Fleury (the only other defenceman on the short list), Niagara Ice Dog Brendan Perlini and Swedish forward William Nylander. TSNs rank numbers assigned are based on a numerical consensus obtained from surveying NHL scouts and where they rank specific players if the draft was being held now. TSNs final rankings come out the week prior to the NHL draft in late June. ' ' '