As good as Patrik Laine is, and as much as the Leafs surely did their due diligence and considered him as a real option, Auston Matthews is Toronto's guy.
At 6-2 and roughly 200 Ibs, Matthews is the centre most teams dream about. Skates well? Check. Can play with power and out-muscle defenders to create chances for himself and create space for his linemates? Check? Can finish as well in tight with elite stickhandling and movement around the net as he can from a distance with one of the class' best releases? Check. A developing high-end defensive presence who comes back deep in the zone and is aggressive on loose pucks? Check.
An adept passer who can find teammates through seams and do more than just score? Check.
He's everything the Leafs have so desperately needed since the departure of Mats Sundin.