It is tough to say. They are very different in their styles. Ovechkin had/has a more powerful shot. Michkov has a much better IQ. I think Ovechkin had more straight line speed, but Michkov's edge work/lateral movement is way better than Ovie's. Michkov's best plays come through puck possession where as Ovie's were created from explosiveness.
Their play styles are so different it is weird to compare them, but if both were 18 and on the draft board with 0 non hockey risk to consider and I'm making the pick, I personally would take Michkov. When I evaluate players the trait I put the highest weight in is IQ. Giving IQ the highest weight could be a flaw in my evaluations that leads to me passing on a player I know will become the future all time leader in goals, but IQ is the reason Sid was better than Ovie. And IQ is the reason Gretzky was the great one. Michkov's IQ is special where as Ovie's IQ peaked at good. Hopefully saying this doesn't jinx the kids future, but it is true to how I personally evaluate and rank talent.
