The Red Wings ended 2025 on a high note, beating Johnathan Toews and the slumping Winnipeg Jets on New Years Eve. With the win, they improved to an 11-3-1 record in December, and 24-14-3 on the year as they led the Atlantic Division. 

Then, Detroit hosted the Penguins on New Years day in the first game of a home and home series with Pittsburgh. They got a point in an overtime loss in that game, but after taking a day to travel to the steel city, the Red Wings got punched in the mouth by Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, dropping a 4-1 match that saw the team looking disjointed and listless at points in their second game, and second straight loss, of the new year.

In response, Head Coach Todd McLellan shook up the forward lines at Red Wings practice the next day, putting the usual second line of Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Copp, and Patrick Kane in the top slot. Detroit’s top line was split across Dylan Larkin on the re-formed second line with Elmer Soderblom and Marco Kasper, Lucas Raymond on third line wing, and Emmitt Finnie down on the fourth line. 

Additionally, John Leonard was recalled from Grand Rapids after having spent much of the last month playing in place of an injured Kane, who only recently returned to the lineup. Leonard had four points (two goals, two assists) across seven appearances for the Red Wings in Denver, and played a solid, smart game. The AHL’s former goal and points leader for this season had been reassigned to the Griffins on Dec. 30th before the Red Wings’ matchup against the Jets.

One imagines that Leonard will be given a chance to skate once more, as he only has three NHL appearances left this season before he becomes subject to waivers this season if Detroit tries to assign him to Grand Rapids again. The Red Wings did have an open roster spot for Leonard, as the previous move to send him down had left the Red Wings with 22 active skaters on the roster. Bringing him back puts the team back at the maximum allowed per the NHL rulebook,

Detroit next plays the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night (Jan. 5, 2026) at 7:30 P.M.