An injury suffered by Patrick Kane has prompted the Detroit Red Wings to decide it’s time to give John Leonard the opportunity to show if his scoring touch is effective in the NHL.

Detroit coach Todd McLellan said Leonard will take Kane’s spot on the second line with Alex DeBrincat and Andrew Copp.

“That should suit his game,” McLellan said. “That alone should give a signal that we are confident enough to put him there.”

McLellan said Kane has an upper body injury suffered Saturday in Chicago and will miss at least the back-to-back home games against the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We’ll see where it goes from there,” McLellan said.

Leonard, 27, was called up within hours of scoring the game-winning shootout goal in a 2-1 win against the Chicago Wolves. The former UMass college player also leads the AHL with 19 goals this season. He has played a major role in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 22-1-0-1 start.

“Super excited for the opportunity,” Leonard said.

He has had brief NHL stints with the San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes. In a total of 70 games, Leonard has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points.

Leonard Comes With Speed

“A lot of times we create the problem. (Coaches) call up an individual and we pop him on the fourth line,” McLellan said, “and it’s probably not the right spot for him.”

Leonard took his scoring to another level last season when he totaled a combined 44 goals in the regular-season and playoffs. Clearly, the Red Wings are intrigued by Leonard’s scoring potential.

“That (Kane) line…they have to be responsible defensively and play hard and do all the other things. They’re counted on to produce offense,” McLellan said.

The Red Wings are not looking for him to replace Kane.

“He just needs to be John and play like John does down there (in Grand Rapids),” McLellan said.

Speed is Leonard’s calling card

“We played against him when he was with the Sharks in San Jose, so he can make an impact on the game with his speed,” McLellan said. “But now his shot and his creativity offensively are… coming to the forefront as well.”