Eichel, McDavid Rookie Update

Now that Connor McDavid is back on the ice for the first time in months, it's time to resume the comparisons between him and Jack Eichel. The two players will be eternally linked because of the hoopla surrounding their being drafted Nos. 1 and 2 in the NHL last year, and both have certainly yielded results in their rookie seasons thus far. But the comparisons got slightly derailed In November, when McDavid went down with a broken collarbone and endured an extended absence.

A Look at the Seasons

McDavid missed 37 games because of his injury, but he's back with the Edmonton Oilers now and showing his ability around goal. Since he came back at the first of the month, McDavid has played seven games, scored four goals and 12 points, with a +2 in the plus/minus category. He's also carried a 21 percent shooting percentage since returning. For the year, he has nine goals and 24 points in 20 games. But McDavid appears to have little to work with in Edmonton, which has one of the worst records in the league. The franchise is likely to change that, with some trades this month, but they won't likely go far this season.

"I don't mind our young (centres) playing against that. It's part of their evolution." Coach McLellan on 97/29 facing big, veteran opponents

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 16, 2016

Eichel has had little more than the normal bumps and bruises of an NHL season, so he has a full complement of 57 games with the Buffalo Sabres to his credit. For the more recent comparison, this month Eichel has a goal and four points in seven games. His plus/minus is -4, and he's shooting at a five percent clip. For the season, Eichel has 17 goals and 38 points in his 57 games. The Buffalo team is a bit – though not much – better than the Oilers, and Eichel is lined up with some pretty good players.

Advantage McDavid

You could also reason that Eichel and the Sabres have a little tougher schedule to play in the Atlantic Division, as opposed to the Oilers in the Pacific. But at least statistically it appears clear that McDavid has justified his No. 1 draft status and has been the more productive of the two … when healthy. Neither the Oilers or the Sabres have much of a chance at the playoffs, but it will be a tad more interesting to see how McDavid works his way back into the Oilers lineup. The Oilers were 3-6-1 in their 10 games prior to Tuesday, while the Sabres were 6-2-2 over the same span. Read that how you may when betting their respective games.

Now that Connor McDavid is back on the ice for the first time in months, it's time to resume the comparisons between him and Jack Eichel. The two players will be eternally linked because of the hoopla surrounding their being drafted Nos. 1 and 2 in the NHL last year, and both have certainly yielded results in their rookie seasons thus far. But the comparisons got slightly derailed In November, when McDavid went down with a broken collarbone and endured an extended absence.

A Look at the Seasons

McDavid missed 37 games because of his injury, but he's back with the Edmonton Oilers now and showing his ability around goal. Since he came back at the first of the month, McDavid has played seven games, scored four goals and 12 points, with a +2 in the plus/minus category. He's also carried a 21 percent shooting percentage since returning. For the year, he has nine goals and 24 points in 20 games. But McDavid appears to have little to work with in Edmonton, which has one of the worst records in the league. The franchise is likely to change that, with some trades this month, but they won't likely go far this season.

"I don't mind our young (centres) playing against that. It's part of their evolution." Coach McLellan on 97/29 facing big, veteran opponents

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 16, 2016

Eichel has had little more than the normal bumps and bruises of an NHL season, so he has a full complement of 57 games with the Buffalo Sabres to his credit. For the more recent comparison, this month Eichel has a goal and four points in seven games. His plus/minus is -4, and he's shooting at a five percent clip. For the season, Eichel has 17 goals and 38 points in his 57 games. The Buffalo team is a bit – though not much – better than the Oilers, and Eichel is lined up with some pretty good players.

Advantage McDavid

You could also reason that Eichel and the Sabres have a little tougher schedule to play in the Atlantic Division, as opposed to the Oilers in the Pacific. But at least statistically it appears clear that McDavid has justified his No. 1 draft status and has been the more productive of the two … when healthy. Neither the Oilers or the Sabres have much of a chance at the playoffs, but it will be a tad more interesting to see how McDavid works his way back into the Oilers lineup. The Oilers were 3-6-1 in their 10 games prior to Tuesday, while the Sabres were 6-2-2 over the same span. Read that how you may when betting their respective games.