While there's little change at the top of the order in October's edition of TSN Scout Craig Button's monthly draft ranking, there are a few players who have been making big jumps from last month.
The fastest risers since the Sept. 9 ranking have been Portland Winterhawks blueliner Derrick Pouliot and defenceman Jacob Trouba of the Under-18 U.S. National Team Development Program. Both players shot up 11 spots to sit at ninth and 10th respectively on the list.
Pouliot, 17, is off to a great start with three goals and 11 points in his first 12 games this season. Trouba, who verbally committed to play at the University of Michigan next fall helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal for the U.S. at the 2011 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge and a gold medal at the 2011 U18 World Championship.
"They are showing productivity to match their skills," explained Button in his analysis.
Another player making his mark is Windsor Spitfires centre Michael Clarke, who enters the Top 30 this month at No. 22. Clarke has eight goals and 12 points in 12 games this season.
"He is a well-rounded player who reminds me of Brandon Dubinsky and has been very good for a young Windsor team," says Button.
Other players that made signifcant movement are defencemen Slater Koekkoek of the Peterborough Petes and Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67's. Both blueliners jumped up nine spots to 19th and 20th respectively in the ranking.
By contrast, the Top 5 saw no movement at all from last month. With seven goals and 25 points in his first 10 games, Sarnia's Nail Yakupov tops the list once again while Sting centre Alex Galchenyuk - sidelined until mid-November with a knee injury - is still in fourth.
"Nail has been nothing short of excellent despite not having Galchenyuk in the lineup," says Button in his analysis.
Winger Filip Forsberg is in second and Red Deer defenceman Mathew Dumba is third. Everett Silvertips blueliner Morgan Rielly once again rounds out the Top 5.
Click here at (http://www.tsn.ca/craigslist) for the rest of the Top 30 and join Craig on Wednesday on TSN.ca at Noon et/9am pt for a live chat regarding his rankings.
TSN Scout Craig Button joins TSN and TSN.ca as part of its expanding DraftCentre coverage. Craig started in the NHL as a scout with the Minnesota North Stars and stayed with the organization through the move to Dallas. He later became Director of Player Personnel, helping lead the Stars to a Stanley Cup in 1999. From 2000 to 2003, Craig served as Vice President and General Manager of the Calgary Flames and later joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a scout.
