McDavid, selected No. 1 by the Edmonton Oilers, is the third-youngest (19 years, 41 days) in the NHL to play at least one game this season. Eichel, chosen No. 2 by the Buffalo Sabres, is the fifth-youngest (19 years, 118 days).
McDavid and Eichel are scheduled to play against each other for the first time this season March 1 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. McDavid missed the Sabres-Oilers game Dec. 4 while recovering from a broken left clavicle. Eichel had one goal and four shots on goal in a 4-2 Oilers victory.
Oilers left wing Taylor Hall said it's only natural the media will want to create some buzz about the first regular-season NHL game between McDavid and Eichel.
"That's something [the media] make up," Hall said. "I don't think it's something Connor thinks about each night before he goes to bed. He's a competitive guy and wants to do well, but I'm sure it's not to beat Jack Eichel. It's to do well for his team and himself."
While there will be a lot of attention on that March 1 game, that level of hype could be ratcheted even higher if McDavid and Eichel are named to Team North America for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
"It's going to be a great thing for the game," Eichel told the Buffalo News when asked about the World Cup. "Our goal as a League should be to grow the game and this is something that can definitely help it. It's just going to be a great experience for everyone involved."
Playing together for Team North America could give McDavid and Eichel an opportunity to learn something new about the other, and as a result gain a greater respect for what each has gone through this season.
"If I had the opportunity to be part of it, it would be great for my family to be able to come see that. It's a great opportunity to play against the world's best," Eichel said.
McDavid recently was asked if responding to questions about Eichel ever gets old.
"[Eichel] is having a good year himself and he should be happy about that," McDavid said. "I wouldn't text him or anything like that but we'll have to become a little closer if we're on [Team North America] for the World Cup. I mean, I don't look at him as an enemy or rival or anything like that. He's a young guy in the League just like me and we're trying to help our teams."
McDavid has 27 points in 23 games. His average of 1.17 points per game is the highest by a rookie to play at least 20 games since Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (1.31) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (1.26) in 2005-06. McDavid also has a 20.8 shooting percentage while averaging 17:54 of ice time each game.
Ovechkin averaged 21:37 per game as a rookie and Crosby averaged 20:07.
Perhaps most impressive is McDavid's enhanced numbers at even strength. He ranks in the top three among rookies in 5-on-5 assists per 60 minutes (1.74) and 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes (3.29). The Oilers have a 51.7 shot-attempts percentage when McDavid is on the ice, and 45.0 when he's not.
McDavid had two goals and had three assists Feb. 11 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his most productive game of the season. He also assisted on all three goals by right wing Jordan Eberle or his first NHL hat trick. McDavid, Eberle and linemate Benoit Pouliot combined for 13 points against Toronto.