MONTREAL, Quebec -- There he was, the next face of the Toronto Maple Leafs, standing and answering questions in the Montreal Canadiens home dressing room underneath the black-and-white photos of Canadiens legends.The photos of Hall of Famers wraps around the Montreal dressing room. Just above Auston Matthews hung pictures of all-timers Henri Richard, Gump Worsley, Yvan Cournoyer and Ken Dryden.Yes, its a little strange that the Maple Leafs No. 1 pick is getting his first major exposure to the NHL world while setting up shop in the heart of the Bell Centre. At one point, he mentioned how excited he was to play in Toronto, the center of the hockey world, to which a Montreal reporter suggested that it might not be wise for him to repeat that too loudly in this town.Yeah, well, I guess you could argue it, he said with a shrug.Its a nontraditional start to an NHL career, but for Matthews, thats just about right. After all, this is the guy who bypassed college and junior hockey to play in Switzerland during his draft year.He isnt afraid of a different path. Nor is he afraid of the path ahead in this tournament.Matthews entered World Cup of Hockey training camp as the 13th forward for Team North America coach Todd McLellan. Chatting last month at his summer home, McLellan shared the Matthews game plan, written in pencil.I think weve got to go with a little bit of the playing experience right off the bat, he said. But Matthews might play in the exhibition games and be lights-out, and maybe hell play.For now, Matthews, 18, is fine with that plan. He knows hell have to earn every minute of playing time, and the reality is that he has very little time to do so. Team North America plays its first of three pre-tournament games on Thursday in Quebec City.But in just two practices, you could see Matthews working his way up the depth chart. On Tuesday, he was taking shifts on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a trio of No. 1 picks. Matthews was also alternating on the second power-play unit.He earned his way onto the roster by wowing general managers Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman during the World Championships, and hell get the opportunity to do the same with this coaching staff.Hes going to experience the worlds best right off the bat, McLellan said after practice Tuesday. Hes played against some very good players at the world junior level -- certainly at the World Championships -- never as concentrated per country as it is right now. Its baptism by fire, but just being around him for two days, hes very capable of handling it.This isnt McLellans first glimpse of Matthews, which helps the cause. McLellans son Tyson is headed to the University of Denver to play hockey. He competed against Matthews for years.McLellan remembers noticing Matthews for the first time in bantam hockey, and even then his skill level stood out.Very talented, McLellan said.The history goes back years. He already knows what Matthews new teammates are starting to realize this week. Hes a high-level talent who made this team because of his ability to make plays every time hes on the ice.Theres a maturity to his game, Team North America defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere?said of his first impression of Matthews. Hes making plays like its nothing out there. Hes so young. I cant imagine at his age what Id be doing out there. Id be scared as hell.Matthews doesnt have time to be scared. If he wants to play in this tournament and have an impact, he has to show it immediately.Im trying to earn as much ice time as I can and build my way up the lineup, Matthews said. Thats just the way it goes. I dont have time.He wasnt originally going to be on this team. Chiarelli made it no secret that he preferred experience when constructing the Team North America roster. But Matthews forced his way on when he was one of the best players on the ice representing Team USA at the World Championships. He might be the extra forward now, but the good bet is that wont last.Matthews is a very professional, driven young man who understands the game at a high, high level with high skill, Team Canada and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. Hes not going to take a back seat to anybody for very long. Chuck Foreman Jersey . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Brett Favre Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. http://www.officialauthenticvikingsshop.com/authentic-harrison-smith-jersey.html . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Xavier Rhodes Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Jarius Wright Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1.Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. Sky Live: Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports until May 8 With world No 1 Novak Djokovic joining the field as the clear favourite, Murray will have his work cut-out. The competition will also include the clay master Rafael Nadal and a host of up-and-comers.Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan answered four key questions... Can Murray beat Nadal on clay? Andy Murray (right) beat Rafa Nadal in last years Madrid final Barry said: Nadal to win. But Andy has an advantage by playing Rafa in Madrid. Rafa has won the title here before, but he would prefer to play clay court matches in Barcelona, Monte Carlo or Roma. Its because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didnt want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play. Murrays route to the final Possible future foes for British No 1 At this present stage with the way that Rafa is playing, only Djokovic is better.All the top guys are as comfortable on any of the surfaces. Andy has become very comfortable at moving on clay, when previously he was better on hard courts.He beat Rafa last year, but Rafa was poor. It will be harder this year because Djokovic is playing and Nadal is playing much better.Are Murray and Nadal poised for a successful clay campaign? Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori to claim the Barcelona Open title Barry said: The way Andy played in Monte Carlo suggests he will have a great few weeks.dddddddddddd This part of the year is easier for him than Indian Wells and Miami because hes looking forward to the French Open. He is a master of peaking. You only have to look at his Grand Slam record - he knows how to peak for the big events.I didnt really waiver on Nadal last year but I did this February - he played two tournaments in South America which were a real concern. He had worked so hard to push on this year, but it felt like he was putting himself under too much pressure. He had a lack of belief. He needed to back up his talent in Barcelona, and he certainly did.Its relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off. Are Federers recurring injuries a concern? Roger Federer cant turn his back on recent injuries Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? Thats three already hes had this year, two injuries and an illness.As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means hes lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis. Federer withdraws Swiss great out of Madrid Open If you look at the glass half-full, its better to have an injury now than after June. Realistically in the last three or four years, his chances of winning the Australian Open or French Open are going because of the nature of the surfaces. The chances of winning Wimbledon and the US Open are a lot greater. Can Del Potro recapture past glory? Its seven years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, hes a long way off. For Del Potro, its about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.Hes not going to be able to beat the big guys yet. But is that permanent? I can only judge through what I see during matches, and he cant hit over his backhand. Hes basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.He wont beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. But hes hitting his backhand more, which is encouraging, and he clearly has rediscovered his passion to compete. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys NFL Jerseys China Jerseys NFL China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys From China ' ' '