A short EI segment probably isn't worth the J miles. I love EI for the ability to use a fairly small number of Avios to get the family to/from Europe in Y (13,000 per person off-peak from Chicago with almost no fees) but it's always seemed like a poor value for J.

The AC options would be attractive to me because I enjoy visiting Toronto in general. Always a fun place to spend a day if your schedule permits a long connection like that.