King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
- 23,187
- 24,091
With what very little I've seen, they have comparable talent levels, but I like Michkov's direct drive more.
Just from YouTube highlights of both and how Bédard has started in Sweden I would have to go with him, though they both look outstanding. I would say Bédard’s strengths are his incredible shot, perfect footwork and puck protection (he seems very comfortable negotiating tight spaces with many defenders around in-spite of his relative lack of size) , whereas Michkov has better vision and play making ability but is slightly behind in those other areas. Going forward I would think Bédard projects to an even silkier version of MacKinnon and Michkov projects to a Kucherov type player. As mentioned earlier I hope we get a Canada-Russia final at some point between these two.
I should mention I’m slightly biased as Canadian but I don’t think I have ever seen a better player than Bédard at his age in North America, it’s incredible how he ripped up that high-end U18 league like it was nothing.
Again outside of YouTube I haven’t seen him playing live, but his shooting is not what jumped out at me, it was his vision and stickhandling. He did have few nice goals in the highlight packs but they weren’t jaw droppingKinda funny to call a kid with 70 goals in 26 games a playmaker. Yeah, he can pass the puck, but it's his goal scoring, that makes him that special.
Again outside of YouTube I haven’t seen him playing live, but his shooting is not what jumped out at me, it was his vision and stickhandling. He did have few nice goals in the highlight packs but they weren’t jaw dropping
I'd describe Michkov more as a cerebral offensive player than a goalscorer or a playmaker. With the puck on his stick, he's thinking pass before shoot, but always maintains a position where he's a threat to do either one. Without the puck, it's all about getting open, usually backdoor or around the net.Again outside of YouTube I haven’t seen him playing live, but his shooting is not what jumped out at me, it was his vision and stickhandling. He did have few nice goals in the highlight packs but they weren’t jaw dropping
Not sure if you guys have heard but the Russian developmental plan is lightyears ahead of anything that happens in North America.
Connor Bedard right now is the better player.
Should be a spectacular U18 tournament. Haven't looked forward to a U18 tournament this much since McDavid's 2013 tournament in Sochi.
When does it start?
Connor Bedard right now is the better player.
Should be a spectacular U18 tournament. Haven't looked forward to a U18 tournament this much since McDavid's 2013 tournament in Sochi.
Being a Canadian or a center may be deciding factor if both are the same tier of prospects, but it's still waaay to early, they're amazing for their age, but still can end up as Tavares-level prospects (still pretty great, but people at some point were expecting more). The scary part is they're good enough already that I don't think they'll fall from a level of potential 1st picks.I'm still pretty sure Bedard will be picked 1 OA, because of nationality, position and Michkov's SKA contract, but both are ridiculous talents.
Matvei Michkov right now is the better player... I mean, yeah, almost not a joke.
I'm still pretty sure Bedard will be picked 1 OA, because of nationality, position and Michkov's SKA contract, but both are ridiculous talents.
Being a Canadian or a center may be deciding factor if both are the same tier of prospects, but it's still waaay to early, they're amazing for their age, but still can end up as Tavares-level prospects (still pretty great, but people at some point were expecting more). The scary part is they're good enough already that I don't think they'll fall from a level of potential 1st picks.
And I don't think we can say that one is clearly better than another right now, Bedard and Michkov may be exchanging awesome highlights and offensive production back and forth effectively for next two years.
Lol there is absolutely no definitive answer to who is the better player at this point and time.
I lean towards Connor now.
Tavares is just an example of a player that went from trajectory for potential generational-level prospect early to franchise-caliber center and borderline Hart nominee in few seasons then, I'm not saying that being Hart nominee in few seasons isn't a fantastic career on its own. Next season will be more conclusive in evaluating both Michkov and Bedard.Lol, Tavares level prospect is actually crazy good.
Don't overreact with one-game sample against Germany U-18, lol.
6 > 0 goals... in case you still need an argument who your favorite is for now.
Don't overreact with one-game sample against Germany U-18, lol.
the exceptional status hasn't been workout recently for the CHL. Of course Bedard being the 1st to obtain that title from my home Province is something huge out in the West coast, don't know not going to vote, kinda sucks, whoever drafts Michkov is going to have to wait 3 full seasons before seeing him in the N/A. 2023 gonna be a beaut!