Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McClellan announced on Monday that forward Patrick Kane, who recently scored his 498th NHL goal in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, will be sidelined for at least the next two games. To fill Kane’s spot, the Red Wings have called up forward John Leonard from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Leonard has impressed this season, leading the AHL with 19 goals in 20 games.
During Monday’s practice, Leonard practiced on the second line alongside Alex DeBrincat and Andrew Copp, signaling that he’s set to make his regular-season debut for Detroit on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Leonard, who has previously played 70 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, and Nashville Predators, expressed his excitement about joining a historic franchise like the Red Wings.
This is Leonard’s first season with Detroit, signing a one-year, $775,000 contract after a solid year with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he posted 36 goals and 25 assists in 72 games, plus 14 points in 18 playoff games. Leonard currently leads the AHL in scoring and is eager to bring his hard-nosed, speedy playing style to the NHL stage.
A native of Massachusetts and former Bruins fan, Leonard feels privileged to continue his NHL journey with a legendary team celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Red Wings will face the Islanders on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Fan Take: This development highlights the importance of strong minor league systems in building NHL depth, giving young players like Leonard a chance to shine. For hockey fans, Leonard’s call-up is exciting as it blends fresh talent with tradition, keeping the spirit of the sport alive and dynamic.
