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Similar to the Mitch Callahan signing last week, today's announcement that the Red Wings are retaining Landon Ferraro for another season provides yet another interesting example of the difficulty Detroit is having integrating their youth into the big club's lineup.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today signed center Landon Ferraro to a one-year contract. In accordance with club policy, additional details will not be disclosed.

Ferraro, 22, made his NHL debut for the Red Wings on March 18, 2014, against Toronto and went on to skate in four games for Detroit, averaging 8:58 minutes of ice time per game. The fourth-year pro appeared in 70 contests with Grand Rapids last season, ranking among team leaders with 15 goals (T4th), 16 assists (11th), 31 points (T9th) and 195 shots on goal (2nd). The Trail, B.C., native led Grand Rapids with 24 goals during the 2012-13 campaign, finishing third on the team with 47 points (24-23-47) to help the Griffins to their first-ever Calder Cup championship.

Ferraro has skated in 200 career AHL games, recording 98 points (48-50-98) and 143 penalty minutes. Originally drafted by Detroit in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot, 179-lb., center recorded 152 points (76-76-152) and 270 penalty minutes in 220 WHL games with the Red Deer Rebels and Everett Silvertips prior to turning professional in 2011-12.

Landon Ferraro, Center
Born Aug 8 1991 -- Trail, BC
Height 6.00 -- Weight 174 -- Shoots R

Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #32 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft

With three full AHL seasons under his belt and 200 regular season contests for the Griffins, the soon to be 23 year-old Ferraro would love to have a crack at a bottom six role with the Red Wings this season. However, barring some movement of forwards over the course of the next 8 weeks or multiple injuries to veterans up front, the likelihood is that Ferraro will be sent back to Grand Rapids. Unlike previous seasons, he will need to clear waivers.

As a former high draft pick (early 2nd round in 2009), you would suspect one NHL team would be willing to take a chance on claiming Ferraro if he did end up on the waiver wire. With the Wings expecting to carry 14 forwards this season, and the club at 13 forwards while awaiting the re-signing of Tomas Tatar and possibly Daniel Alfredsson, there is a distinct possibility of that happening unless GM Ken Holland is proactive and either attains an asset in return for Ferraro OR moves other bottom six forwards on the roster to provide Ferraro with that opportunity in Detroit. A strong showing during training camp and the pre-season by Ferraro may force Holland's hand.

Unfortunately, the situation is a double-edged sword for the Red Wings. Although it's an enviable position to be in that they have substantial depth up front, you also do not want to lose assets that the club has invested in like Ferraro and Callahan for nothing. At least if they end up on another NHL roster, you would like to see Detroit earn something back in return rather than losing them for nothing.


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