Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan clearly understands why some fans are unhappy with the team decision to return John Leonard to the Grand Rapids Griffins Tuesday night.
“Difficult decision,” McLellan said. “Very difficult. Some would say, well, you didn’t need to send him down because you had a roster spot. It does him no good sitting here and watching. ”
Fans are expressing frustration on comment boards at the decision because many saw Leonard, 27, providing secondary scoring that Detroit has lacked. He can skate, shows offensive instincts and seems to have offensive flair.
He put up two goals and two assists for four points in seven games. Before being called up, Leonard netted 19 goals in 20 games for Grand Rapids. This is a player who knows how to get the puck to the net.
Closeness of GR Played a Role
“Are we comfortable in having him as early as a phone call? Right now, ‘Yes,’” McLellan said. “He’s a player that can play and play and help us. (But) we weren’t going to use him. We going to put (James van Riemsdyk) back in. As a result, (Leonard’s) there now. That doesn’t mean he’s there permanently. Things could happen with our roster.”
The Red Wings can carry 23 players, and Leonard’s demotion put Detroit’s at 22. With Grand Rapids a car ride away, the Red Wings have shown they are comfortable to go with 22.
McLellan made it clear that the decision did not reflect any disappointment in Leonard’s play.
“What did we see in him? We saw what we expected to see from him,” McLellan said. “He had some pace to his game. Was an offensive threat. He handled himself well on the power play. There aren’t negatives to his game. I can’t sit here and say he’s got to do this or that to get himself back here. It’ll be opportunity and circumstance.”
The Griffins will play home against the Milwaukee Admirals tonight, and presumably Leonard will be in their lineup. In listening to McLellan, it also wound like we have not seen the last of Leonard in Detroit.