Detroit — The future of one Red Wings’ forward looks a little grimmer these days, while another one’s gotten new life.

The Wings waived forward Jonatan Berggren on Monday, and recalled forward John Leonard. Coach Todd McLellan said Patrick Kane will miss the next two games with an upper-body injury, sparking the decision to recall Leonard, who leads the AHL with 19 goals.

“He (Kane) was good enough to finish the game (Saturday, but) we’ll keep out for these next two games and see where it goes from there,” McLellan said.

Leonard replaced Kane on a line with Alex DeBrincat and Andrew Copp, and worked on the power play.

Berggren was an extra forward during practice, a sign of what was to happen later in the afternoon.

Leonard has been one of the keys behind the Grand Rapids’ incredible record (22-1-0-1) with the 19 goals and 29 points (second in the AHL).

Can Leonard maintain that level in the NHL with the Red Wings? Leonard has been a prolific goal-scorer at the AHL level, but it has yet to translate to the NHL, where he has six goals over 70 games while with San Jose, Nashville and Arizona.

“It’s been a year since I played a game in the NHL,” Leonard said. “I’m real excited.

“It’s pretty cool to be on the ice with those guys today and get to chat with them a little bit before practice. They were super helpful with me, whether it was me asking what the drill was or what was going on, they were great.

“I got the call last night (after Grand Rapids’ 2-1 victory in Rockford) and we’ll see what happens. I’m excited, nervous, all the good nerve stuff. I’m extremely grateful to be here and excited for the opportunity.”

McLellan showed no reservation about putting Leonard into a key spot.

“He’s certainly confident at the American League level,” McLellan said. “What he’s done there and what the team has done is remarkable, and he’s been a big part of it. He has NHL experience. He has some speed, but now his offensive creativity is coming to the front as well.

“We’re going to start him in Patty’s spot and that should suit his game. That alone should give him a signal we are confident to put him out there and on that line. They have to be responsible defensively and play hard and do all the other things, but they’re counted on to produce offense, so that should be a signal to him.”

Islanders at Red Wings

▶ Faceoff: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

▶ TV/radio: FDSN/Channel 2/97.1

▶ Notable: The Wings (18-12-3) return home after a long road trip to host the red-hot Islanders (19-11-3). … The Islanders have won the two previous games between the teams (7-2 and 5-0). … The Islanders have won six of their last seven games. … Rookie D Matthew Schaefer (14 assists, 23 points) is the leading contender for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year).

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan