Well there were definitely some here who said they were 1 and 1A and like bbb said earlier some said there we 2 generational players in the draft.
I am comparing Marner because he has clearly been the best player on the Leafs this year. He makes everyone around him better. JVR is leading the team in scoring and is scoring at a almost 40% better pace than his career stats after been teamed up with Marner. Obviously we are only 17 games in, but so far this kid has been electric.
I don't think the size and power are as relevant in today's NHL. Marner doesn't get hit much and to tell you the truth, Matthews has taken a couple of huge hits this year, including last game where he took a shoulder right to the jaw. He's one of those fast, shifty players who is really hard to catch.
Right now it looks like the Leafs are ahead in the rebuild (I'm sure I will get called out as usual, because I can't be objective as a Leafs fan.) Like I said last year, they are loaded with young talent and are getting the experience with mostly 6 and sometimes 7 rookies in the lineup every night. (Edit - full disclosure) Zaitsev counts as one of those rookies, but is 25. It is his 1st year in the NHL though.
I'm sure the Sabres will close the gap once some of the big boys return, but I'm liking the way things are progressing in Leafland!