We are now two months into the 2005-2006 regular season and the Calder Trophy is all but wrapped up. We hear all the talk about the race being down to just Sidney Crosby vs. Alexander Ovechkin, but is it really a race at all.

Yes, Ovechkin is putting up very impressive numbers on a poor team, but Crosby is the next great one. He is the one who will have a shot at breaking some of Wayne Gretzky’s records. He is the one who will put fans back in the seats for all the teams and cities who have poor attendance. He is the National Hockey League’s new poster child.

The big question that I have is, Will the NHL allow someone other than Crosby to win the coveted Calder Trophy even if someone else might deserve it?

In my honest opinion, I don’t think it will happen. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does from now until the end of April, Crosby will win the Calder Trophy. The only thing that will stop them from awarding him this honor is if (God forbid), he bows out to serious injury and can’t play for an extended period of time.

Let’s look back at the opening month of the season to see an example of why I feel the way I do.

Who won the Rookie of the Month award for October? It was none other than Crosby.

Did he deserve to be considered for the award? Yes.

Did I feel he should have won? No. In my opinion, Ovechkin put up more impressive numbers.

You decide for yourself who deserved it more.

Crosby generated 2 goals, 12 assists for 14 points in 11 games and recorded points in his first six career games. Ovechkin generated 8 goals, 5 assists for 13 points in 11 games and recorded points in his first eight games.

Why did Ovechkin not win the honor? He had six more goals, just one less point and has less of a supporting cast around him than Crosby. Are we getting the point?

On Friday, rugged Calgary Flames defenseman, Dion Phaneuf took home the November Rookie of the Month award by posting 3 goals, 6 assists for 9 points in 13 games. The Flames went on to post a record of 10-2-1 in those 13 games.

Even with the unexpected outburst of offensive numbers from the Edmonton, Alberta native, he will have to provide that and more to have a shot at taking home Crosby’s trophy.

History is not on his side however; as only seven defensemen have been awarded the Calder trophy since the NHL started adding more teams back in 1967.

Other rookies will probably take home the monthly prize over the course of this season, but when it comes right down to it, the NHL will hand the annual award to Crosby.

Here are some of the other talented rookies who I believe are having standout seasons and should be highly considered for the award:

* Marek Svatos, a native of Kosice, Slovakia, is entering his first full season in the league as a member of the Colorado Avalanche. He was drafted in the 7th round, 227th overall back in the 2001 NHL entry draft. After 26 games, he has posted 13 goals, 12 assists for 25 points. Marek is currently sitting third overall in rookie scoring. He is tied for third in team scoring, but leads the way with those 13 goals and a whopping six game-winners. You have to remember that this is a team that boasts great scorers in Joe Sakic, Alex Tanguay, Milan Hejduk and Pierre Turgeon. He is the epitome of a diamond in the rough.

* Alex Steen, a 2002 first round selection of Toronto is already on the Leafs top line and is providing them with more offense than what they had expected. In 28 games, he has posted 9 goals and 10 assists.

* Brad Boyes, a first round pick of Toronto from 2000, is already a member of his third NHL team. He has made stops in Toronto, San Jose and now Boston. He didn’t play for Toronto and only played one game for San Jose before being traded to Boston in 2004 in a three-way deal with Buffalo. This year, in 29 games, Boyes has registered 7 goals and 12 assists. With the departure of Joe Thornton, his playing time and role should be increased.

* Ray Emery, a 2001, 4th round pick of the Ottawa Senators, has yet to lose an NHL game. He recorded a victory in his only start back in 2002-2003. He posted a 2-0 record in two games back in 2003-2004. This season, he has played in six games providing the Senators with a 6-0 record, a 2.30 GAA and a .922 save percentage.

Who is the front runner at this point? In my opinion, Ovechkin is in the lead, but Svatos and Crosby are very close behind.

I like the fact that Ovechkin is putting up impressive numbers without the supporting cast that Svatos and Crosby have on their respective teams. Svatos would be my choice for second as he has the same amount of goals as Crosby (13), is only three points behind him in the scoring race, and has five more game winners.

In addition, he is leading the Avalanche in goals scored. I truly believe that "Sid the Kid" will be providing hockey fans around the world with highlight reel goals and stellar play for years to come.

While he will be a bonafide superstar in this league, I just don’t want to see his fellow rookie standouts get dismissed for having just as good, if not better rookie seasons in the NHL.