John Leonard: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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A veteran with an elite scoring touch at the minor-league level is sticking around the Mitten for another year. On Thursday night, the Detroit Red Wings announced that the team has re-signed forward John Leonard to a one-year contract extension.

Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 16

Red Wings Sign John Leonard To One-Year Extension

The Detroit Red Wings announced that forward John Leonard has inked a one-year contract extension worth $850k, as he’ll avoid unrestricted free agency this summer.

Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 20

Red Wings Reassign John Leonard

The Red Wings announced Friday that they’ve assigned left-winger John Leonard to AHL Grand Rapids. The move comes after center Andrew Copp returned to the lineup in last night’s win over the Canadiens, scoring a goal after sitting out just three games with a leg injury that was initially expected to keep him out for at least two weeks.

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Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 11

Red Wings Recall Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, Eduards Tralmaks

The Detroit Red Wings have utilized emergency recalls to call-up three forwards from the AHL. Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, and Eduards Tralmaks will all join the Red Wings with two games left on their current road trip.

NHL News / Yardbarker

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Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 8

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.

Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 9

Detroit Red Wings Reassign John Leonard

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have reassigned winger John Leonard to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. This isn’t Leonard’s first transaction of the year, as he was recalled from the AHL on Jan.

Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 4

Red Wings Recall John Leonard

This evening the Detroit Red Wings shared that John Leonard has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids. No corresponding transaction was required. The forward was sent back down on New Year’s Eve, not due to performance, but more a technical move to avoid waiver requirements.

Detroit Red Wings News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 31

Red Wings Reassign John Leonard

The Red Wings announced Tuesday night that they’ve assigned right winger John Leonard to AHL Grand Rapids. They’re left with an open roster spot. Leonard’s demotion has little to do with his performance and more to do with roster management.

Detroit Red Wings News / NHL on ClutchPoints / December 14

Red Wings recall AHL’s leading goal scorer before Islanders clash

The Detroit Red Wings are coming off a big win over the Connor Bedard-less Chicago Blackhawks. Despite Chicago being without Bedard, Detroit earned its victory as it continues to cement itself in the Atlantic Division playoff picture.

NHL News / Inside The Rink / December 1

AHL: Grand Rapids Griffins Forward named Player of the Month for November

The Grand Rapids Griffins got off to a hot start, and it continued into November. They finished the month going 10-1-0-1, averaging 4.1 goals per game while allowing 1.8 goals per game.

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NHL News / Inside The Rink / July 2, 2025

Detroit Red Wings Sign John Leonard

The Detroit Red Wings signed forward John Leonard to a one-year, two-way contract with a $775K AAV. Leonard was a sought-after free agent after a great season with the Charlotte Checkers.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 2, 2025

East Notes: Primeau, Lettieri, Leonard

Hurricanes RFA goaltender Cayden Primeau signed a one-year, league minimum deal yesterday, according to a team release. Primeau saw his signing rights transferred from Montreal to Carolina on Monday in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.

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NHL News / Daily Faceoff / July 1, 2025

Red Wings sign forward John Leonard to one-year contract

The Detroit Red Wings have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with forward John Leonard, the club announced Tuesday afternoon. Leonard, 26, spent the entire 2024-25 season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, scoring 36 goals and 61 points in 72 games.

Vancouver Canucks News / Little Box Cats / June 24, 2025

Checkers can’t extend season as Canucks claim first Calder Cup

The Charlotte Checkers got off to great start, but couldn’t hold off the Abbotsford Canucks, who claimed their first Calder Cup title with a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate in Game 6 at Bojangles Coliseum.

Florida Panthers News / Little Box Cats / June 2, 2025

Checkers in command after 5-1 win over Rocket

Riley Bezeau scored twice as the Charlotte Checkers posted a 5-1 victory over the Laval Rocket in Game 3 at Bojangles Coliseum, putting the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate one win away from the Calder Cup Final.

Florida Panthers News / Little Box Cats / March 10, 2025

Checkers earn weekend spilt with Lehigh Valley

The Charlotte Checkers split a pair of games against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Bojangles Coliseum over the weekend. On Saturday, John Leonard lit the lamp twice and rookie Cooper Black stopped 17 of 18 shots to lead the Checkers to a 4-1 win over the Phantoms.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 7, 2025

Blue Jackets to acquire former first-round forward from Sharks

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks. A return hasn’t yet been shared.

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