McDavid, who will try to build on his points total when the Oilers begin a two-game road trip Wednesday at the Colorado Avalanche (10 p.m. ET; ALT2, SNW, NHL.TV), is a different type of player than the one who broke into the League last season, McLellan said.
"He's a better defensive player now," McLellan said. "He's just more confident. When he first came here last year, it was to fit in… it's the permission thing. He's taken another level with permission and he's been given that by his teammates and the organization: 'You're the guy.'"
McDavid said Tuesday he expected it would take him some time to learn to be an effective NHL player and to find a comfort zone.
"Definitely, I've learned a lot, each and every day," he said. "I definitely feel like I'm a smarter player than when I first entered the League.
"I think it's the defensive side of it, like not blowing through the [defensive] zone. I think when I first came into the League, I was blowing the zone all the time, just kind of expecting pucks to get out. You learn very quickly that you can't be doing that."
Eberle said McDavid's biggest impact has been with his skating.
"His speed is unmatched in the League," Eberle said. "I don't know how he does it. They should figure it out and teach kids how to do it. He's a rush player. He creates everything off the rush and his speed. And defensively, you can't really gap up and challenge it."
The decision to make McDavid the Oilers captain this season has been without issue.