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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. 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. LaRoy Reynolds Falcons Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Desmond Trufant Jersey . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. http://www.authenticfalconsteamstore.com/Youth-Courtney-Upsh aw-Elite-Jersey/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Vic Beasley Jersey . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Atlanta Falcons Store . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- For Bills safety Jairus Byrd, there was nothing like the sight of watching Jets backup quarterback Matt Simms trot out on the field early in the fourth quarter Sunday. To Byrd, that was a signal that he and Buffalos defence had done its job in thoroughly rattling rookie starter Geno Smith. "It sits great with us," Byrd said. "Any time you can do that, it means were being relentless out there." That was the case from start to finish as the Bills defence and blustery winds gusting up to 30 mph proved too much for Smith and the Jets to handle in Buffalos dominating 37-14 victory. Byrd had two interceptions. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams had two sacks and forced a fumble. And, safety DaNorris Searcy returned another Smith interception 32 yards for a touchdown as Buffalo turned four turnovers by the quarterback into 17 points. The Bills got after Smith from the Jets opening possession. Thats when defensive tackle Marcell Dareus briefly knocked the quarterback out of the game by hitting him in the mid-section. "First play of the game, I knew that we had him," Dareus said. "We got a big lick on him, and he kind of rolled around. We knew right then we were in his head. From then on, he looked crazy, looked scattered." The Bills also didnt take too kindly upon hearing the Jets spent part of Saturday at Dave & Busters, a chain restaurant and entertainment venue in suburban Buffalo. "Me personally, I feel theyre disrespectful in the first place, so it didnt shock me," Bills defensive end Mario Williams said. Jets coach Rex Ryan defended the decision, saying it wasnt meant to be disrespectful. "I dont know why thats added motivation. We do different things when were on the road," Ryan said. "We went out as a team, so thats what we did." The Bills (4-7) snapped a three-game skid and enter their bye week by winning for only the second time in seven games. The Jets (5-5), coming off their bye, continued their string of inconsistent outings by becoming the NFLs first team to alternate wins and losses through the first 10 games of the season. Smith, a second-round pick out of West Virginia, went 8 of 23 for 103 yards passing, and was blunt in assessing his outing. "The way I can sum up this game is awful," Smith said. "I couldnt hit anything today. I jusst wasnt hitting the mark.dddddddddddd" Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel, selected 16th overall out of Florida State, was far better. He finished 20 of 28 for 245 yards passing and two scores. And he did so with Buffalo playing minus both starting receivers: Stevie Johnson (groin) and Robert Woods (sprained left ankle). Smith has now gone a combined 36 of 72 for 377 yards passing, with no touchdowns and five interceptions in his past three games. And hes particularly struggled on the road, where he dropped to 1-4 and thrown four touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Overall, he has eight touchdowns, 16 interceptions and has lost four fumbles. Ryan attempted to deflect criticism directed at his quarterback by noting Smith had little protection. "With that protection, you couldve had Joe Namath back there and I dont think it wouldve mattered today," Ryan said. "Obviously, when you turn the ball over four times, thats a poor performance." It was so bad that the Jets managed just 267 yards offence and a season-low 12 first downs. Under Smith, the Jets produced 4 yards offence, no first downs and committed two turnovers on 13 plays over the final five possessions of the first half. Jets running back Chris Ivory scored on a 1-yard plunge on fourth down. Simms marched the Jets on a six-play, 62-yard drive, capped by a 13-yard pass to Jeff Cumberland with 9:36 left. The Bills took control in the final minutes of the first half. Starting with Manuels 34-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Graham with 4:05 left, Buffalo scored 17 points over a span of 2:50 to build a 20-0 lead with 65 seconds left in the first half. Kyle Williams sack and forced fumble led to fullback Frank Summers scoring on a 3-yard run. Then Byrds first interception set up Dan Carpenters 42-yard field goal. NOTES: The conditions were so tough that a tear-away portion of the football-field sized American flag came undone during the national anthem. ... Jets PK Nick Folk missed his first field-goal attempt of the season after a 48-yarder sailed wide right. Folks streak ended at 23 straight, one short of matching the franchise record set by Jay Feely from 2008-09. ... Among those in attendance was New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who played a big role last year in negotiating the Bills 10-year lease agreement to stay at Ralph Wilson Stadium. 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