(Editor’s Note: This is another installment of a player-by-player analysis of the Detroit Red Wings’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The emphasis is on how each player performed and their future in the organization. Today, we discuss Detroit forward John Leonard.)
Age: He’s 27 and will turn 28 on August 7.
Contract Status: Signed a one-year, one-way deal that will pay him an AAV of $850,000.
Last season’s contributions: During two separate recalls from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Leonard accounted for two goals and two assists in 11 games.
Grade: C+
Past
Signed last year to a one-year, one-way deal, John Leonard’s arrival in the Red Wings organization came off a career-high 36-goal campaign with the AHL Charlotte Checkers. In four previous pro seasons, Leonard’s best output was 18 goals.
In 70 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, and Arizona Coyotes, Leonard contributed 6-11-17 totals.
Present
First and foremost, Leonard was signed by the Red Wings to be a top scorer for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and provide an insurance policy for Detroit. He would fill both roles effectively.
Leonard led the Griffins with 33 goals, even though he only played 47 AHL games. He was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. Over the past two seasons, including playoffs, Leonard has scored 80 goals.
His first recall to Detroit came when Patrick Kane went on the shelf with an injury. Skating on Detroit’s second forward line, Leonard collected two goals and two assists in his first six games with the Red Wings.
“He can make an impact on the game with his speed,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “But now his shot and his creativity offensively, they’re coming to the forefront as well.”
In a two-game follow-up stint with Detroit in March, Leonard skated in the bottom six forwards and was held pointless.
Future
When he was resigned, again it seemed that Leonard was likely seen as an offensive producer for the Griffins. However, changing circumstances for Detroit at the NHL level could make Leonard a very valuable commodity.
Dylan Larkin has asked for a trade. It’s not known if the team captain will still be on the Detroit roster come the fall. Kane is a UFA, and while the Red Wings want him back, Kane could be weighing his options as far as his hockey future is concerned.
These developments could quickly turn Leonard from insurance policy to key performer on the goal-starved Red Wings roster.
Of his goal-scoring prowess, Leonard says, “I think I just try to put myself in good spots.” By signing on the dotted line to spend another season in the Red Wings organization, he may have just done that for himself.