Rank... 10 Youngsters Pittsburghers Should Worry About

Here is the latest edition of "Rank". This Top 10 consists of the top 10 sports figures under 25 years old that should have Pittsburgh sports fans concerned about their competition. All professional players were taken into consideration. Obviously college players were not considered because they are all under 25 and nobody knows where they will be next season. No Pirates foes were considered because really who cares?

10. Claude Giroux - Philadelphia Flyers - Age 22

Giroux only has one full NHL season under his belt, but he already shows signs of being a Penguin killer. He's got a nose for the net and plays with grit. He is an excellent player that can play any style, in any system. Not to mention he is the perfect winger for Mike Richards. More importantly he shines bright in big moments. In last season's playoffs he scored 21 points in 23 games. 

9. John Carlson - Washington Capitals - Age 20

Carlson is an American hockey hero without even having a full NHL season under his belt . I usually don't like to give out nicknames, but I personally refer to him as the "American Dream". John Carlson is the guy that scored the game winning overtime goal in last years World Junior Championship game. He has the potential to be a great two way defenseman, which is exactly what the Capitals need.

8. John Tavares - New York Islanders - Age 20

John Tavares was the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. He has been pegged by the media as the player that will lead the Islanders back to the glory days. He certainly has all the tools and is off to a good start. Scoring 24 goals as a rookie on that team is pretty impressive. If they can ever get him some wingers that will be a dangerous team.

7. Peyton Hillis - Cleveland Browns - Age 24

Hillis is an intimidating running back. In today's NFL real power backs are hard to find. Well defenses don't have to look for him, he looks for them. I hear a lot of comparisons to Mike Alstott, the difference between them is that Peyton Hillis is actually good. He carries the ball 20+ times a game and does it well. With him in the backfield the Browns seem to be building an offensive power.

6. Marc Staal - New York Rangers - 23

If anyone was wondering if Marc Staal would ever become an All-Star defenseman that question has been answered this season. Staal is big, physical, and skilled. He is having a very impressive breakout season for the Rangers and looks to be part of a very dangerous future combination, with Michael Del Zotto. He might already be the best defensive defenseman in the Atlantic Division.

5. Colt McCoy - Cleveland Browns - Age 24

Well in any list like this you have to include a quarterback. Since the only quarterback in the Steeler's division under 25 is Colt McCoy here you go. That is not to take anything away from Colt. I was secretly wishing the Steelers would trade Ben and draft Colt. If anything McCoy is just a gamer. He plays hard and shows no fear, those types of guys are dangerous. He does not have a great arm and he is pretty small, but he wins. That is the job of any quarterback and he has a proven track record of winning. He has more wins the any other QB in NCAA Division-1 history, with 45. Under the guidance of Mike Holmgren the sky may be the limit.

4. Nicklas Backstrom - Washington Capitals - Age 23

At only 23 Backstrom already has three full NHL seasons and has gotten disgustingly better each year. In his rookie season he scored 14 goals, second season 22 goals, and his third season he scored 33 goals and totaled 101 points. He is the player that makes Ovechkin dangerous and seems to be the only center that can consistently beat Crosby at the faceoff dot. He is the reason the Capitals are a great team because he is the rare type of player that makes everyone around him better.

3. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens - Age 23

Not too many guys can be a starting running back in the NFL at age 23, Ray Rice is one of those guys. He is a do it all kind of running back. He has a great combination of finesse and power running, topped off with pass catching ability. Rice was a pro bowler in 2009 and does not look to be slowing down anytime soon. The Ravens are the Steelers biggest rival and with a young tandem of Joe Flacco and Ray Rice it will continue to be a battle. 

2. Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning - Age 20

The second best player in the NHL is 20 year old Steven Stamkos. It may seem a little strange to have a player on this list that is not a rival of a Pittsburgh team, but Penguins fans really enjoy saying that we have the best player in the world. In order for that to continue Crosby will have to stay a step ahead of Stamkos, which is hard to do. Stamkos tied Sid for the league lead in goals last season, in only his second season. Watching Stamkos play is a beautiful thing, an unbelievable combination of speed and skill. Not to mention he can score from literally anywhere, including out of midair from his backside. What worries me is that I sort of see the present day NHL as a mirror image of the 80s NBA. With Ovechkin and Crosby as Magic and Bird, while Stamkos follows a couple years later like Michael Jordan. Remember that MJ is recognized as the greatest player of all time. Who knows how high Stamkos' ceiling is?

1. Sergei Bobrovsky - Philadelphia Flyers - Age 22

Bobrovsky is number one for the simple reason that goalie is the most important position in all of sports. Not to mention he looks like he will be a very good goalie. The Flyers have not a had real goalie since Ron Hextall, now they do. Adding a good goalie to a very talented mix that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last season is a scary thing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bobrovsky also earned the first win at the Consol Energy Center.