Red Wings: With Patrick Kane out, there’s opportunity for John Leonard
Detroit Red Wings John Leonard, Dylan Larkin & Todd McLellan, Dec. 15, 2025 in Detroit.
The Detroit Red Wings have called up John Leonard from the minors as Patrick Kane is out at least the next two games.
The roster move was announced Monday, Dec. 15, during mid-morning, about 30 minutes before practice. Leonard was skating in Kane’s spot on a line with Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat.
Todd McLellan said Kane tweaked an upper-body injury during Saturday’s game at the Chicago Blackhawks. Kane finished the game and talked to reporters afterward. The Wings (18-11-3) were off Sunday.
They next play Tuesday when they host the New York Islanders (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit), and play again Wednesday, also at home, against the Utah Mammoth.
Leonard, 27, has spent the 2025-26 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and ranks among the team leaders with 19 goals (first), 10 assists (tied for fourth), 29 points (first), a plus-14 rating (tied for second), two power play goals (tied for third), two shorthanded goals (first), seven game-winning goals (first), 64 shots (first) and a 29.7% shooting percentage (first) in 20 games. His 19 goals and seven game-winners are the most among all AHL skaters this season.
This story is developing and will be updated.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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