John Leonard didn’t score in his Detroit Red Wings debut, but offered fans a taste of what he’s capable of doing on a sheet of ice.

He used a burst of speed to create a breakaway. He was thwarted but might have scored on the rebound if not for the diligence of an Islanders’ defenseman.

Leonard denied on a breakaway on #RedWings best chance of the game and first shot of the second period nearly nine minutes in.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) December 17, 2025

“I liked his game,” Coach Todd McLellan said after Detroit’s 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. “You could see his speed, creativity. That line, again, was a factor in the game, you know, less Paddy Kane. Of course we’d like to have him, but when we didn’t, I thought,John went in there and did a real good job. The pace of the play on that line stayed up, and the chances they created were probably on the positive side of the ledger at the end of the night.

It will be interesting to see what Leonard’s loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins means for their incredible start.  With 19 goals in 29 AHL game, Leonard represented 20.4% of the Griffins’ scoring. They play their first game without Leonard tonight in Iowa (8 p.m.)ti

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit forward Alex DeBrincat has 20 goals in his first 34 games this season. He’s on a pace for his third season of 40 or more goals.

Coach Todd McLellan believes the Red Wings have figured how they need to play to be successful. Is it sustainable?

Jonatan Berggren is the latest former Detroit player to find himself with the St. Louis Blues.

Red Wings Extra

Alex DeBrincat (20-19-39 in 34 games) is the fastest Red Wings player to score 20 goals in a season since Henrik Zetterberg in 2007-08 (21-19-40 in 28 games. The Michigan native also became the first Red Wings player to score 20 goals in each of his first three campaigns with the franchise since Brendan Shanahan (Nine times from 1996-97 to 2005-06).

Hockey Now Network

Florida: The Panthers are finalizing plans for the upcoming Winter Classic. Florida Panthers.

New Jersey: The Devils’ trade ambitions are being undermined by the team’s no-trade clauses. New Jersey Devils.

Philadelphia: Injured defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been cleared to play tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski offers that the Penguins’ losses have become worrisome. Pittsburgh Penguins.