Red Wings Recall John Leonard

The Red Wings announced today that they’ve recalled winger John Leonard from AHL Grand Rapids under emergency conditions. That stipulation means Detroit retains all five of its post-trade deadline standard recalls. With fellow wingman Michael Brandsegg-Nygard already up on an emergency recall in connection with Dylan Larkin‘s injury, this means the Wings are anticipating that another forward could be unavailable for the start of their four-game road trip tonight in New Jersey.

Leonard, 27, began his professional career as an undrafted free agent signed by the Sharks out of UMass in 2020 and was essentially a full-time NHL piece in the following COVID-shortened season, playing 44 out of 56 games. That was the last time he’s seen anywhere near that kind of deployment. He made just 14 appearances in 2021-22 and was then traded to the Predators, kicking off a span of four teams in four seasons (Nashville, Arizona, AHL Charlotte, Detroit) that culminated in him signing a one-way, league minimum pact with the Wings last summer.

The 5’11” lefty’s standout performance on a minor-league contract in the Panthers organization last year, tying for second in the league in goals (36) and 10th in points (61), meant he bypassed a two-way deal entirely and was expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp in Detroit. While that didn’t hold true, he’s having the best season of his minor-league career and has logged his most NHL time in four years thanks to some call-ups along the way.

Today marks Leonard’s third recall of the season after coming up for over two weeks in December and a five-day stint on the roster in January. In nine spot starts across the pair of call-ups, he’s been quite efficient with four points (two goals, two assists) and 26 shot attempts while averaging 12:01 per game, finishing at a 22.2% clip along the way. That’s come amid Leonard starring for Grand Rapids in the minor-league club’s historic season, set to march to an AHL title with a 43-9-4 record. With a 27-14–41 scoring line in 34 games there, his 1.21 points per game currently sit second in the league (min. 15 games played).