Leafs wouldn't... Matthews is a guaranteed top 3 player entering his prime... Fantilli's potential still isn't where Matthews is right now

Fantilli is a very exciting and very promising prospect. They would have him for at least 8 years, the first 3 being at a very low cap hit.

Matthews is a generational goal scoring centre, who is also very good defensively. He is currently 6th place all time for goals per game (just in front of Ovi but behind Bure). He is signed for 5 more years but at a very high cap hit.

As much as people will try to make the argument that they would rather have Fantilli. Matthews for 5 years, in his prime, would be the correct move. He compliments the core age of this team better than Fantilli does.

Now clearly both options are great. I am very happy Columbus was able to pull Fantilli at the draft. Anaheim blew my mind with the Carlsson pick.

Cap hit outweights the talent differential for now, and definitely by the time Fantilli's ELC is up. They'd have to make a lot of painful moves to fit Matthews, so in a magical universe with no cap? Sure. In this one? No.

I mean, you have to take a top-5 player right now, generational goal-scorer, in his prime, with term. I love Fantilli so far, and I hope Matthews is his ceiling. But that means the right choice is to take Matthews if you have the option. Even a Bedard-Matthews 1-for-1 swap I'd take Matthews, just because it's a known quantity with an extremely high ceiling.

4-5 years from now, maybe the equation is a little different. It also matters that CBJ have players now (Laine, Z, Gaudreau, Severson, etc.) that should theoretically push them to compete. If you're looking at a franchise that's in the baby stages of a rebuild (like a Chicago), the answer could also be different.

For most teams, not all, I’d take the known top-20 player who has very little risk….over an 18-year old prospect with top-20 ceiling but a lot of risk.

For teams that are a good 3+ years away from their window…Fantilli may make sense, especially if you are getting more assets out of it.

No. Fantilli could be the cornerstone of this franchise for the next 15 years or so. Matthews would be 5 and then you have concerns about the next contract and if he fits the core going forward. Fantilli is clearly the right choice. The Jackets may not even make the playoffs this year but could be very scary next season.

Nah, purely because Fantilli is Columbus' guy and I want them to succeed with their guys.