USA's Jack Eichel, 17, already turning heads

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

Last year in the Under-17 World Challenge, the team competition almost became secondary to the talent show Canada's Connor McDavid and the USA's Jack Eichel put on.

"Those two guys put themselves on another plane," NHL draft expert Craig Button said. "It was McDavid, Eichel and then Eichel, McDavid. Back and forth. They just dominated the game. If anyone else saw any other part of that game, good for them, because it was hard to take your eyes off those two players."

McDavid is projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, and Massachusetts native Eichel will be rated close to him. No Americans are projected to go in the top 10 picks in 2014, but Seth Jones went No.4 in June and a U.S. player has been taken at least that high six times since 2005.

"I think Jack Eichel is in the conversation for the top three," said Button, a former Calgary Flames general manager and longtime NHL scout.

Eichel, 17, is the youngest player on the talent-laden U.S. national junior team's preliminary roster, and there is ample buzz about him in the NHL community.

"He can make plays at high levels of speed," Pittsburgh Penguins pro scout Don Waddell said. "His hockey sense is off the charts."

Eichel, who is 6-1 and 190 pounds, plays like a force.

"Jack Eichel wants to make a difference in the game, and he has the skills to make a difference and the will to make a difference," Button said.

The defending champion Americans are training at the University of Minnesota, and the 23-man roster won't be announced until Dec. 23. The world junior championships start Dec.26 in Malmo, Sweden.

"He still has to prove it to coaches," USA Hockey assistant executive director Jim Johannson said. "But he is absolutely dynamic, and if you get him over there with more room on the ice, he's going to be difficult to maintain."

After missing time with mononucleosis and being struck in the ear with a puck, Eichel, who turned 17 on Oct. 28, has 19 goals and 41 points in 22 games.

"It's not one thing that stands out with Jack," Button said. "It's the whole package."

One of Eichel's most memorable traits is the Brett Hull-like release on his shot.

"It's not so much his release as ability to shoot on the move," Button said.

Button said Eichel's ability to shoot from many different body positions made it more difficult for goaltenders to get set against him.

"He has three things essential to being a top player," Button said. "He has exceptional cutting ability. He's one of those guys who can cut and not lose speed and maintain his balance. No.2, he has a great change of pace. When he comes in on a defender, the defender is leery because he knows. Eichel, within a half-step, can put it another gear. Finally, he doesn't get knocked awry. He has strength on his skates; he can hold off a check. He's just a handful."

His skating is deceptive.

"His skating doesn't look pretty, but he certainly is fast enough," Waddell said. "What happens with big guys ... sometimes they don't look like great skaters, but this guy gets to where he needs to go."

Johannson said Eichel doesn't look like he's moving.

"But he is flying," he said. "If he gets body position on you, you are not going to get him."

The WJC is dominated by 19-year-olds, not players two months past their 17th birthday.

But Button says Eichel will score in Sweden.

"What I see is a guy who gets to the highest levels at critical times," he said.