Auston Matthews has become quite worldly at age 18, away from home with the U.S. Development program for a couple of years, playing the past hockey season with and against men in the Swiss-A League.

But Zurich Lions coach Marc Crawford thought it best to give him “the Toronto talk,” the facts of life for a young star in the NHL’s busiest city, should the Maple Leafs win Saturday’s draft lottery with their 20% odds. Crawford spent time here with Pat Burns’ staff while running the Leafs’ farm team in St. John’s, Nfld., before graduating to the bigs. But it turned out to be a brief conversation with Matthews, who knows what might await.

“The bright lights and big city aren’t going to bother him,” Crawford said in a phone interview. “He knows he’s most likely going to Canada (The Leafs, Oilers, Canucks, Flames, Jets and Habs will total 66% of the possible ping-pong ball combinations) and we’ve had the talk about going to Toronto.

“He knows he would get support from Lou Lamoriello, Mike Babcock and a great staff. He knows it would be a marvelous place to start.”

The 6-foot-2 marquee centre from Scottsdale, Ariz., would be manna from heaven for the Leafs, due something good after finishing in 30th place. But after Connor McDavid unexpectedly wound up in Edmonton’s sights in last year’s lottery — the Oilers had an 11.5% chance going in — the Leafs are going through many Plan B and C scenarios during their scouting meetings in Chicago this week.

If someone from management utters anything before Saturday night, it will likely be caution about those 80% odds they won’t be picking first on June 24 in Buffalo.

SCOUTS HONOUR

As mentioned, Lamoriello and player personnel boss Mark Hunter have gathered their amateur bird dogs to compare season-long notes.

Ranked behind Matthews are two big Finnish wingers of note, Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine. The European scouts at the table this week will have plenty of data (the former is said to be a more sound two-way player, the latter a better scoring touch). The Leafs have 12 picks in all heading to Buffalo, including two in the first round.

On Monday, the Leafs announced they were re-engaging in the four-team rookie tournament in London, Ont., Sept. 16-18 with the Habs, Penguins and Senators. With the likely inclusion of last year’s No. 1 pick Mitch Marner of the hometown Knights and whomever the Leafs take this year, it’s going to be a very interesting weekend at Budweiser Gardens.

SAVING THE DAY

Antoine Bibeau or Garret Sparks? Does it matter at this stage?

The Marlies can start either goalie in Game 3 of their opening round Calder Cup series against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and feel confident. In winning twice in Connecticut on the weekend, both had a hand in keeping Toronto in the contests at their closest stages. Bibeau made 19-of-20 first period saves in a 4-1 win, Sparks equalled those 31 overall stops in his 3-0 shutout.

“We have a luxury right now,” coach Sheldon Keefe said after Tuesday’s practice. “Bibeau has played well for quite some time. And Sparks, in his two outings since coming back from the Leafs, has seemed to be back in focus and showing what he can do at this level.”

The Marlies were overwhelmed at times when the lower-seeded Tigers laid on the body, thus the edge in net was needed.

“Game 1 was more of an example of that,” Keefe noted. “We needed some big saves for us to recognize there was another team on the ice. Game 2 were more shots against than I’d like, not the dangerous variety, but you have to make the saves. They’re a team that shoots from everywhere, from corners and dead angles, so you turn to a goalie that can hold his post, look big and manage rebounds.”

Defenceman T.J. Brennan was grateful Bibeau bailed him out after a brutal slot giveaway led to the Tigers only goal of the series.

“We have confidence in whoever is in net,” Brennan said. “We had eight goalies (all won at least one game this season), so that’s a credit to the coaching staff having everyone structured and presenting an opportunity no matter who comes in net.”

Sparks has shown no adjustment difficulties after his NHL thrill ride ended.

“For younger guys who can handle the mental stress of that change, it’s very good,” Brennan said. “Sparks is a smart kid and he’s really picked it up. It’s fun to see these guys grow, change and mature.”

TIP OF THE KAP

Winger Kasperi Kapanen found himself in the rare predicament as a healthy scratch in Game 1, but got the message with the required effort the next day.

“There are a lot of good players on this team and everyone can’t play,” the former Pittsburgh first-rounder said. “You want to play all the games, but the guys played outstanding in Game 1. They gave me a shot in Game 2 (bumping Tobias Lindberg) and I felt good. I don’t know what’s going to happen in Game 3, but I’m hoping I’ll be playing.”

ICE CHIPS

Goalie Chris Gibson, one of five Leafs farmhands moved to the Isles at the start of the year in the Michael Grabner trade, was returned to Bridgeport from the Isles on Tuesday. Forward James Wright went to New York ... Game 3 and any future home dates in the Bridgeport series will be televised on Rogers Cable and replayed on Leafs TV. If the Marlies advance to the next round, away games will be on Leafs TV, home games on Rogers ... Keefe, on being a win away from sweeping: “You don’t want to give team life, an opportunity to get off the mat. We’ve got them in a tough spot, but you have to get it done. It’s a big part of being a successful team in the playoffs, having a killer instinct to finish a team’s season. It’s a hard thing to do.”