McDavid had 16 points in his first 12 games in his D+3 season. Pettersson has 18.

Is Pettersson better than McDavid? According to very advanced cherry picked statistics, yes!

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/mcdavco01/gamelog/2018#128-139-sum:gamelog

McDavid had 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points.

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/p/petteel01/gamelog/2020

Pettersson has 4 goals, 14 assists, 18 points.