LONDON, Ont. - This is just the warm-up act for 18-year-old William Nylander. For the Maple Leafs top prospect, the player they selected with the eighth overall pick this past June, this weekends rookie tournament in London is simply the test run before his first NHL training camp gets underway next week. A long-shot to make the leap as a teenager, the slyly confident Nylander doesnt intend to temper his expectations. "My goals are always as high as possible," he said on the eve of the tournament. "Biggest goal is to try to take a spot on the NHL team." Toronto holds three options when it comes to the immediate future of Nylander, the first European prospect the team has picked with its first round pick since 2006; they can keep him in the NHL with the Leafs (delaying the decision for as many as nine games before a year of his entry-level contract kicks in); they can let him return to the Swedish Hockey League where he is a free agent; or they can assign him to the Marlies. Of the three, earning a spot with the NHL club would seem the least likely. "Hell definitely have a chance to make our team," general manager Dave Nonis said shortly after Nylander was selected at the 2014 draft in Philadelphia. "[But] I really dont care how skilled you are, its very difficult to make the NHL as an 18-year-old." Not only that, but the Leafs are loaded with depth at the forward position (nearly all of whom require waivers), adding the likes of Mike Santorelli, David Booth, Daniel Winnik, Leo Komarov, Petri Kontiola and Matt Frattin in the offseason. That leaves little room for Nylander to nudge his way into the lineup for head coach Randy Carlyle, who is under immense pressure to change fortunes after another late season collapse and is thus unlikely to lay his bets on an untested rookie. Even a jaw-dropping preseason might not be enough. Picked seventh overall in the 2009 draft, Nazem Kadri dazzled in his first exhibition roundabout later that fall, amassing three goals and five points in six preseason games before being promptly returned to the junior ranks in London. "Nazem is going to be a superstar in this league – we honestly believe that," then-Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said at the time. "We want him to go back to the OHL and absolutely dominate the league there." Nylander wont be going to junior. Though he was selected by the Mississauga Steelheads with the 13th pick in the CHL import draft, the Calgary-born Nylander made clear Friday that such a route is not in his plans. The Leafs, for their part, intend to take a wait-and-see approach with their top prospect, gauging where his development is best served at training camp - which begins in Toronto on Thursday. As was eventually demonstrated with Kadri - who spent parts of three seasons in the AHL - patience and prudence is probably their best course, leaving the Marlies or Swedish League as the two likeliest options. Like their current No. 2 centre, Nylanders skill-set isnt really in question. Nonis described him as boasting "NHL speed, NHL hands, an NHL shot right now," wondering "whether or not the rest of his game can catch up." That would include his physical frame, noticeably slight at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, and thus unlikely to be ready for the nightly tests of Zdeno Chara and Shea Weber (Nylander spent 22 games in the Swedish Hockey League as a 17-year-old last season, mustering a single goal and seven points). Nylander must also quickly readjust to the North American sized rink, having spent his formative years playing on the bigger ice in Sweden, and then subsequently learn the finer details of the NHL game (a lengthy process for any young player). "His skill probably speaks for itself and that might separate him from other guys out there," said Marlies coach Gord Dineen. "But theres the culture shock of coming over to North America, playing in a different rink … Well see how it goes. I think everybody has to be patient." The rookie tournament has proven a springboard of sorts in the past for a handful of Leaf prospects. Viktor Stalberg, Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly most recently, were among those that separated themselves from the competition at the event before doing the same at NHL training camp - all three, however, were older than Nylander, who turned 18 in May. Like Rielly a year ago, Nylander may play in only one of the three exhibition tilts - he is scheduled to suit up in the tournament opener against Chicago on Saturday. "Hes going to be a guy that gets a good look at the Leaf camp," said Dineen. "We know his capabilities. Our scouts and management know his capabilities so this is the opportunity for him to just get a game or two under his belt before the main camp." "Its a big step to the NHL," Nylander said. "Going to give it all Ive got." Authentic NHL Jerseys Cheap .C. -- The Edmonton Oilers used a late-power-play goal to get a hard-fought road victory. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .com) - James Harden needed just seven made field goals to drop 35 points on the Philadelphia 76ers, leading the Houston Rockets to a 104-93 win on Monday. http://www.cheapnhlcustomjerseys.com/ . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series. Fake Adidas NHL Jerseys . 1. Did the Senators trade the wrong goalie? Lets make one thing clear: The Ottawa Senators acquired Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues for one reason and one reason alone. Stitched NHL Jerseys . -- Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen took the second-round lead Saturday in the Champions Tours Legends of Golf, teaming for a 6-under 48 in windy conditions on the par-3 Top of the Rock course.Sky Sports News HQs Alex Hammond provides a race-by-race guide to Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival. 1.30 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES HURDLEAlan Kings Yanworth is a potential banker for many. Once again, though, with Sky Bet offering money back as a free bet in the opening race, it could be worth taking him on. Hes a class act and will take some beating. He was fourth in the Champion Bumper last season to Moon Racer and has taken very well to hurdling, with four wins from four. Initially, the Supreme was the plan, but he was stepped up in trip at Cheltenham last time and beat some smart horses. You may recall he was AP McCoys horse to follow on skysports.com at the beginning of the season, and he could win with this and follow up in next years Champion Hurdle. Alex Hammond is joined by Ed Chamberlin to look ahead to an exciting week of racing at the Cheltenham festival Willie Mullins A Toi Phil is growing up all the time and won his last two after a blip on his Irish hurdles debut in December. Yorkhill had entries in all three novice hurdles but I hoped hed be running here, as I think this is the race for him. Mullins has so many good horses its impossible to keep them apart. Yorkhill looks a leading contender for the Neptune 2.10 RSA CHASEIve always been a fan of No More Heroes. Gordon Elliotts charge is three-from-three over fences, including in Grade Ones the last two times, which makes him a restrictive price for this. He looks the best staying novice on paper at the moment with proven form at the highest level. AP has named More Of That as his top tip for the meeting and he has Grade One-winning form at the Festival in the World Hurdle. He hasnt done anything wrong since going chasing and beat Sametegal in a Novices Chase latest - and that horse has since won a decent handicap chase, the Greatwood Gold Cup. More Of That is four-from-four at Cheltenham and I think its between those two.Of the others, Blaklion is a cracking little horse for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He won the Towton at Wetherby, but was beaten by Seeyouatmidnight in the Dipper. Seeyouatmidnight could run into a place on a good day for Sandy Thomson. He won again at Newcastle and will appreciate the fast pace the races are run at here. No More Heroes has strong claims in the RSA Chase 2.50 CORAL CUPA leading handicap hope for Elliott during the week is Diamond King, who has been the subject of much chatter and won last time out. He was raised 13lb for that. The Martin Pipe was his original aim since joining Elliott from Donald McCain but they have switched to this race, as hes too highly rated for the former, which has a ceiling of 145 (hes now rated 149). Politologue is rated 142 for Paul Nicholls for this, his handicap debut. He is unexposed and the stable won the race last year. Paul Nicholls saddles an interesting Coral Cup contender 3.30 BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASEId have said a few weeks ago that this years Champion Chase wasnt really floating my boat, but take the favourite out and its very competitive, with three former winners. Un De Sceaux will have to be up to speed with his jumping as there will be no margin for error. His fall at Leopardstown over Christmas doesnt fill you with confidence, but he jumped proficiently to beat Sire de Grugy in the Clarence House at Ascot since..ddddddddddddIf last years Arkle winner is in the same form and given luck, then the finishing order should be the same. The 2014 Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy is apparently moving with the same fluency that saw him at his best but I think hell struggle to beat the favourite. The 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre will bid for Champion Chase glory once again So, what about 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre? He showed he was up for a fight when beating Sire De Grugy at Kempton over Christmas and it was a close run thing between the pair. Last years winner Dodging Bullets needs to put that disappointing reappearance in the Game Spirit at Newbury behind him when second to Top Gamble. He will have improved loads for that, but needs to. The return to a sounder surface will suit too. Henry de Bromheads Special Tiara was possibly unlucky to be broadsided by Sire De Grugy in the Tingle Creek but didnt get the verdict after a stewards enquiry. I think he is just below very top class. You will need nerves of steel if you are an Un De Sceaux backer - he is a hot head and Ruby will need to keep a lid on him. Despite that, I really fancy him and am struggling to find an alternative.4.10 GLENFARCLAS CROSS-COUNTRY CHASEBalthazar King would be the fairytale winner of this on his return from horrible injuries suffered when falling in the Grand National last year. Hes a demon around here and loves these cross-country races. There is a strong Irish challenge, though. Balthazar King will get a rousing reception if he can win the Cross-Country 4.50 FRED WINTER JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLEThis is the sort of race in which its best to try and look for something that has been flying under the radar. Diego Du Charmil has certainly done that, with three placed runs in France. He is now with Nicholls and a mark of 133 doesnt look bad, but hes no double-figure price sadly. Nicholls won the race last year.Kings Messire Des Obeaux is a fellow French import, but he had a spin at Haydock (Victor Ludorum) in a small field and should be better than the bare form. Hes a full-brother to Bouvreuil, who was second in the Fred Winter last season for Nicholls. This horse is rated 132, which looks pretty attractive. One horse that got plenty of positive mentions at the Sky Bet preview evening was Campeador, another from the Elliott powerhouse. Connections thought this horse might be one for the Triumph Hurdle at the start of the season, but he runs in this juvenile handicap instead and is likely to wear a hood for the first time here. The bookies havent missed him sadly. Trainer Alan Kings Messire Des Obeaux could go well in the Fred Winter 5.30 WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPERAugusta Kate initially wasnt running at Cheltenham and was going to Sandown instead, but it seems there has been a change of plan by Mullins. This mare is owned by Graham Wylie, Alan Shearer, Lee Westwood and Ant & Dec. Mullins has won this eight times over the years and Irish runners have a phenomenal record in the race, although Brits dominated last year. She is bred in the purple, by leading flat stayer Yeats out of an exceptional race mare, Feathard Lady. This mare has won both her starts and, as mares and juveniles get weight from the rest, she has a weight pull with many of these too. She doesnt show much at home, but is two from two on the track. Ant and Dec could be celebrating after the Champion Bumper Ballyandy has won three out of four in bumpers for Twiston-Davies. Hes a winner at Cheltenham already and looked impressive giving weight to his rivals at Newbury last time out. One to watch that offers a bit more value than the principles is the Jessie Harrington trained New To This Town. Theres no doubt that this horse would be a single figure price if he was trained by Mullins and Harrington has a good record with her runners in this race. His price is shortening all the time. Also See: Bet now at Cheltenham! Video replay library Full racing results First race of the day offer ￡10 free bet ' ' '