What About Landon?

Four days of camp, and other than a few scoring summaries, I really haven't touched much on Red Deer's leading scorer from last season, 18 year-old, 37 goal man Landon Ferraro.

Not that he has been underwhelming at all, but I suppose it speaks to Ferraro's rapid ascent into the "sure things" category that we've started to take his role for granted a little bit.

Ferraro, simply put, has had another very strong camp, and remains poised for a big-time year as the clubs first line center. Day one was interesting to watch, because while Landon fought the puck a little bit and didn't really get a chance to unleash that trademark snapshot while flying up the wing, he was still noticably different then the player who led the team in scoring last season.

He appears a bit bigger, a bit older, and better down low. I don't know if I've seen Ferraro lose a battle along the half wall or in the corners all week long. On a couple of occasions, a younger player in a scrimmage would take a bit of a run at him, and bounce off like he had hit a parked car. This is a stronger version of an already very good player.

After a slower first day, Ferraro has consistently found the net in the scrimmages. A goal (off a nifty deflection from a Matt Dumba point shot) and an assist Tuesday night. Another goal Monday night, and the shootout winner Sunday night.

After being taken in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in this summer's draft, and with the best supporting cast he has seen since his rookie season, one wonders what the ceiling is numbers wise for Ferraro.

Some would say, with Ryan Nugent Hopkins distributing the puck on the powerplay, that 50 goals is within reach. That is, after all, only 13 more than last season. Personally, I would think the goals may rise slightly, but we'll likely see the assists total go up. Rather than a 37-18 -55 season, I think we could maybe see a 40-37-77 type of season, or something close to.

Ferraro will likely center Willie Coetzee and Jordie Deagle in the Black and White game tonight ( 7 p.m. - Enmax Centrium)

AW