Red Wings Recall John Leonard

Detroit’s forward group has been thinned out in recent weeks.  Dylan Larkin is away from the team while waiting for a trade while Mason Appleton and Marco Kasper remain sidelined with injuries.

More reinforcements were needed and another one was brought up today.  The team announced that they’ve recalled forward John Leonard from AHL Grand Rapids.  The move gives the Red Wings 13 healthy forwards on their active roster, which is now full.

The 28-year-old made the AHL’s Second All-Star Team last season on the heels of a strong showing that saw him record 33 goals and 21 assists in just 47 games.  He also held his own in 11 games with Detroit, notching two goals and two assists.  That helped him earn a one-year, one-way deal worth $850K for this season back in April.

However, Leonard wasn’t able to secure a roster spot in training camp and cleared waivers back in September.  Since then, he has played exclusively with the Griffins and is off to a nice start again, tallying five goals and two assists in his first six appearances.

Leonard has seen action in parts of five NHL seasons, with the bulk of that time coming back in 2020-21 with San Jose, when he played in 43 games.  Overall, he has eight goals and 13 assists in 81 games at the top level and with Detroit’s forward depth being shallower at the moment, he should get an opportunity to add to those numbers fairly soon.