Frozen Fantasy: Calder McDavid?

Will Connor McDavid's broken clavicle derail his Calder trophy dream?

Maybe. But probably not.

This season's rookie class is impressive. Jack Eichel. Artemi Panarin. Max Domi. Dylan Larkin. Oscar Lindberg. Nikolaj Ehlers. And with McDavid's injury, conversation has now turned to which one of these young bucks will get the Calder.

Right. And pigs can fly.

Calder belongs to McDavid, regardless of his current ouch. His timeline for return was eight to 12 weeks. So when he returns in January with his bionic collarbone, he'll take a couple weeks to get back to his torrid self. And that seven-game streak (four goals, 11 points) that ended when got hurt will torque back up faster than an old two-cylinder dirt bike.

I see you smiling. That burst of power when you hit the throttle is still fresh, eh?

Now, that's not to say these other guys aren't great young players. I happen to have a bit of love-in now for Dylan Larkin because he's another Jonathan Toews (sigh). Max Domi has brought excitement back to the desert. And a lot of teams will be cursing the day they passed over Nikolaj Ehlers on draft day.

Artemi Panarin is doing well, but I still see him long-term as another Jiri Hudler (not that that's bad, per se). Oscar Lindberg has been a great fit on Broadway, but I can't help think his current success is tied to his linemates, not him. He's middle six to me, not top six.

Jack Eichel is another story altogether. This kid has chops. It's been a year (or more) that I've said he'd be the best thing that could happen to the Sabres, regardless of their desire for McDavid. He's going to be the best American-born hockey player to ever hit the ice. Buffalo has a long and storied tradition of putting great American kids on the ice (Phil Housley, Pat Lafontaine and Tom Barraso). Win-win. Plus, he's damn exciting to watch.

But Edmonton's McSavior will still outdo all these guys in just a half season. I think back to last year's world juniors. I sat in that arena and initially thought Jack Eichel was the better bet of the two. And then McDavid got healthier with each passing period, not game, and I needed to admit I'd been wrong.

It happens. Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.

David Desharnais, C, Montreal (31 percent Yahoo owned) – I don't usually include guys with this high ownership, but this little squirt is worth it. Owners are adding him at extraordinary rates -- think seven and eight percent of all Yahoo owners daily. Why? Try 14 points in 17 games, including six in his last six heading into the weekend. The Habs may be a mirage, at least offensively, but they look pretty good now. I'm drinking the Kool-Aid for now. Check your wire -- we could be lurking out there.

Toby Enstrom, D, Winnipeg (3 percent) - Enstrom is the little quarterback that could. He isn't getting power-play time (yet), but he is producing at even strength. The slick puck mover has four assists in his last five games heading into weekend play. If anything, he's worth adding so you can start watching him skate alongside Dustin Byfuglien. Talk about an odd combination, but it works.

Michael Frolik, RW/C, Calgary (9 percent) - Every year, Frolik catches my eye. He's never quite appealing enough on draft day to invest, but he's one of those steady performers who makes those around him better. He's skating on the Flames' second line with responsible center Mikael Backlund and offensive rookie Sam Bennett. There's a lot to like about that combo. Frolik is on a career pace and could spike to the mid-50s by season's end. And he has eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine games heading into Sunday's match against the Hawks. There's real value here.

Vernon Fiddler, LW/C, Dallas (1 percent) - The old man sure is loving life in the high-powered Dallas offense. His nine points in his first 17 games is a career pace -- cripes seven of those have come in his last seven games heading into the weekend. The Stars have a lot of offensive depth, so even a third-liner like Fiddler has value. Roll him in your last wing spot and you'll be happy. Don't even consider him at center -- that spot is just way too deep for his kind of average.

Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia (0 percent) - I love this guy. He's smooth and slick with the puck and without, and reminds me a lot of Duncan Keith. Now, that's a lofty comparison, but the tools are there. And with Mark Streit on IR with his pubic bone issue, Gostisbehere is about to tease the NHL with his talent. He still needs work in his own zone, but he'll almost immediately inject some excitement into the Flyers' power play. I have been sitting on him in one league for a couple years now and now I get to watch him (if I can stomach the orange and black -- that's for you, Andre. You know who you are.).

Jannik Hansen, RW, Vancouver (6 percent) - Get this guy NOW. He's now riding shotgun with the Sedins and clearly knows how to play with the twins. He won't have another four-point, plus-5 game like he did this past week, but he will get plenty more points toiling with those two. And he's about to get a shot at time on the top power-play unit. He's on my roster. He should be on yours, too, at least until he gets demoted.

James Reimer, G, Toronto (17 percent) - You have to love Optimus Reims -- the guy busts his hump every time he hits the ice. He's not a starting goalie or should I say, he shouldn't be. I blame the Leafs and Francois Allaire, who turned an athletic hybrid Reimer with platoon potential into an awkward blocker who'll finish his career as a backup. Sad, really -- he's a good guy. He's pulling out all the proverbial stops and is responsible for the Leafs' recent decent streak. Over the last couple weeks, he has three wins, a 1.78 GAA and a .943 save percentage -- that was the sixth-best goalie performance over the same span. He still lets in too many sketchy goals, but so goes Jonathan Bernier. Mike Babcock has the Buds playing a solid team game, so Reims might bring you value as your third netminder. For now.

Jared Spurgeon, D, Minnesota (12 percent) - Spurg's ownership is riding the rocket after five points (one goal, four assists) on a four-game streak heading into the weekend. But honestly -- he should be owned in more than 12 percent of leagues. Spurgeon gets no respect because of his diminutive stature. But he is a top-20 offensive blueliner who moves the puck well and plays on the Wild's top pairing. He's on his way to a career season if he can stay healthy, something that has proven all but impossible in the first five seasons of his career. Still, I scooped him up and you'd be wise to splurge for Spurg.

Chris Stewart, LW/RW, Anaheim (4 percent) - Stewart looked like an emerging power forward back in 2009-10 when he delivered 64 points in 77 games. But he's been a bust outside Colorado and is relegated to a lower line in Anaheim. He does have six points, six PIM and 12 hits in his last seven games, though, and he's quietly fitting into the Quack's system. He's not going to deliver you special teams points, but he might be a reasonable filler for a couple weeks if you've been beset with injuries.

Back to the rookie class.

I love McDavid. And Eichel, too, for that matter. But the guy I'm already lusting over is -- surprise, surprise -- Dylan Larkin. He'll be the Wings' captain some day and bring that Jonathan Toews/Steve Yzerman leadership to the ice. I've always been a sucker for guys like that. But you knew that. I am predictable that way.

Before I go, I need to say this. Fantasy is just fantasy -- the attack in Paris brings that home loud and clear. We play fantasy sports to escape, but sometimes, we just have to pause to feel. This is one of those moments.

Until next week.