Landon Ferraro: Boston Bruins Waiver Wire Steal

Landon Ferraro: Change of Scenery Was Necessary For Son of Former NHL’er Ray Ferraro

Landon Ferraro was selected by Detroit 32nd overall in the 2nd round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. He finished his WHL career having spent one season with the Everett Silvertips. Landon made his professional debut in 2009-10 playing two games with AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. He officially began his pro hockey career in 2011-12 suiting up for Detroit’s AHL affiliate.

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Ferraro played 56 games his rookie season, scoring 20 points. In 2012-13, Landon appeared in 72 games, tallying 47 points. That included 16 points in 24 games during their Calder Cup winning playoff-run. He appeared in 70 games the next season for Grand Rapids, where his point total dipped to 31 points. He also made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in 2013-14, playing four games with zero points. Last year (2014-15), Landon Ferraro scored 42 points in 70 games in the AHL, also appearing in three games for Detroit, producing one goal. [hockeydb]

Heading into 2015-16, Landon had paid his dues to AHL service the way most Red Wings prospects have, largely being considered a border-line roster player. He was averaging 9:33 minutes of ice-time per game in 2015-16 with Detroit, appearing in 10 games before being placed on waivers back in late November. Claimed on the 22nd, the Bruins immediately slotted Ferraro in the lineup. Playing on fourth-line, only generating 8:07 of ice-time on the 23rd versus Toronto, Ferraro added a helper, for his first point of 2015-16.

Since being claimed, Landon Ferraro has appeared in 10 games for Boston, producing three goals and three assists. Six more points than his 10-game stint with Detroit, and five more than he’s produced in the last four plus years in Hockeytown. He’s averaging 11:47 of ice-time per game with Boston, but his minutes are anything but consistent. He’s seeing more ice-time in the 12 to 13 minute range of late, seeing a season-high 15:13 last Saturday against Florida.

Never given a fair shake in Detroit based on the organization’s depth, Landon Ferraro found himself in an advantageous position with a brand new opportunity. It’s a second lease on NHL life, and the change of scenery, in early indications, points to full-time NHL duties moving forward. He’s still young, just 24 years of age, leaving (some) room for growth as he adapts to the pro-game and lifestyle.

Landon Ferraro’s excellent play has not gone un-noticed, with coach Claude Julien rewarding him Monday night versus Edmonton.

via NESN,

"Landon Ferraro saw more even-strength ice time than any of his fellow bottom-six Bruins forwards Monday night.That’s because, during crunch time, the 24-year-old forward no longer was skating in his usual fourth-line spot.With the Bruins trailing the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an eventual 3-2 overtime loss, coach Claude Julien opted to bump Ferraro up to the top line, where he skated alongside stalwarts Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron in the space occupied earlier in the game by Brett Connolly.“It just gave that line a little bit of speed there in the forecheck,” Julien said after the game. “I thought he was having a decent game, so I just went with a hunch and put him out there.”The lineup tweak — as many have for the Bruins coach of late — paid off. With Boston down a goal and less than five minutes remaining in regulation, Ferraro received a long pass from Zdeno Chara in the neutral zone and fed it back to Marchand, who zipped a wrist shot past Oilers goalie Cam Talbot for the game-tying goal.“When you get moved to a line like that, it’s getting them the puck as much as you can,” said Ferraro, who also added three shots on goal and five hits in 13:40 of ice time. “You get Marchy in a spot like that, you’re going to give him the puck and let him shoot it.”"

The one thing scouts and analysts have always praised Landon Ferraro for is his work-ethic and compete level. He’s a solid skater, making him an extremely effective fore-checker, getting on defenders, forcing them to make quick-decisions. Strong for his size, Landon can battle along the boards, and in front of the net.

Landon Ferraro is set to become a restricted free-agent after 2015-16 (currently making $600k/year), and with continued production, a healthy pay-raise may follow.

Next: Auston Matthews Sweepstakes: Early Possibilities

There’s no reason to get too excited about his 10-game stint, but it’s a story-line worth following as the season unravels. One thing is guaranteed, Ray Ferraro is a proud Dad at the moment. If you’ve ever heard him on television or radio speaking about family, his pride is evident. Landon is just 1231 games short, and 891 points short of his Father’s illustrious career, but it must be a relief for both knowing Landon is finally earning full-time duties at the NHL level.

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