I'm seeing a trend develop here.
Crosby will get the "leech on Lemieux/Palffy/Gonchar" tag.
Ovechkin will get the "selfish and heartless quiter/cherry picker" tag.
I can already see the weekly threads that are going to be created after one or the other has a good game. Hear the pro-crosby people rant how Crosby is so much better because he's outscoring Ovechkin and how Ovechkin is a puckhog, has no heart, isn't a good passer (a la Kovalchuk/Nash because he has no one to pass the puck to), etc. While the pro-Ovechkin russian possee and Don Cherry lovers-Brule affectionado-Crosby haters jump to his defense and say that he would outscore Crosby if positions were reversed and how Crosby leeches off Lemieux, Palffy, Gonchar, etc. It's going to be awesome.
We're talking about players who are 2 years apart, have completely different backgrounds, play different positions, have completely different styles, will be in completely different settings, have different skills and personality yet someone feel compelled to play the #1 russian prospect VS #1 canadian prospect card again.
Both are great prospects. Both guys haven't been locks for the #1 overall spot 1-2 years before their draft because they had weaknesses in their games (minus the occasional weirdo who thought Brule or Malkin had a chance).
But I'll say this, I have watched about 5-6 games of Ovechkin and over 50 of Crosby and from what I've seen Crosby's just as strong as Ovechkin and is just as developped. And that's even though he's 5'11/18 years old while Ovechkin is 6'2/20 years old.
Crosby has been training like a pro and with NHL pros for years. He'll probably take a pound here and there, but there's a limit to how much he can add muscles, I doubt there is an ounce of baby fat on him. He's physically and mentally the most NHL ready 18 years old I've ever seen. Wether you guys who've never watched him play or who haven't yet realized how much media pressure is on him want to believe it or not he has just as much a NHL body as Ovechkin. If Crosby doesn't have a good season, it won't be because he has yet to add meat to his body, improve his defensive awareness or improve his maturity and off-ice habits. The kid is as ready as they come.