Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Return Leonard to Grand Rapids in Puzzling Decision
Detroit sits with just 22 players on NHL roster
Of all the moves the Detroit Red Wings could’ve made to create a place in the lineup for winger James van Riemsdyk, sending John Leonard back to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins was the easiest one.
That doesn’t mean it was the best one.
Still, that’s the choice the club made on Tuesday, shipping Leonard back down to the Griffins – even though he’s done everything asked of him and looked effective in all seven games he played for the club.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have assigned John Leonard to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/Pt6GVrsuCH
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 31, 2025
Leonard accounted for 2-2-4 totals over that span, giving a team lacking in consistent depth scoring another threat. Even the guy he was called up to fill in for, Patrick Kane, was impressed.
“He played well,” Kane said. “I think you see his anticipation for the play, his ability to get to the net. He’s got a great shot. He’s proved that in the minors as well, scoring a lot of goals.
“But yeah, he did a great job. And, you know, that line was still, you know, finding ways to be effective.”
Against Toronto on Sunday, in what would be his last game with the Red Wings, Leonard dropped down to play alongside Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson as Kane returned to the lineup. He was alternating on that line with van Riemsdyk during practice on Tuesday, so perhaps the handwriting was already on the wall.
Red Wings Lacking Depth Scoring
While it’s absolutely true that the game is about more than just scoring goals, Leonard was displaying an all-around game during his time in Detroit. His defensive play was far from substandard.
His awareness without the puck was very responsible. Unlike a lot of guys who fill the net with pucks in the AHL, Leonard played the game just as solidly when his team didn’t have the puck.
“I liked his game,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “You could see his speed, creativity.”
Evidently, they didn’t like his game enough to keep him.
Practice today. Winnipeg in town tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/WYiaLw4EPQ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 30, 2025
What’s even more perplexing about this move is that the Red Wings didn’t need to ship a player out to make room for van Riemsdyk. They are now going with 22 players, one under the NHL roster limit. But since Leonard is on a one-way contract, they aren’t saving any money by sending him down, other than the NHL per diem he’d receive when the team is on the road.
Perhaps it’s merely a numbers game. Maybe the Wings want Leonard playing every night in GR rather than being in and out of the lineup in Detroit. It could be that he’ll be back before long.
Let’s hope so.
Someone needed to give way to get van Riemsdyk and his nine goals back into the lineup.
That someone shouldn’t have been Leonard.
His awareness without the puck was very responsible.
As usual, the Toddfather put it simply – and accurately. I watched Leonard a lot in his seven games, and I rarely saw him cheat on offense or defense. As McLellan might say, “He’s a player who gets it.”
But if Leonard plays three more games, my understanding is he has to clear waivers to go to back to GR. So by sending him back now, they can safely call him back up if they absolutely need him.
I’m guessing they told him something like, “Go help the Griffins stay on a roll, and you’ll be back here before this season is over.” At least I hope that’s what they told him…because the guy really does get it.
That only applies to first year pros . Leonard is a seven year pro with close to 80 NHL games. It still stinks that the goes down. Kasper is the one who should go down
This is it. You are correct I think. Would not read this as they did not want to keep him.
They likely explained he is too important to them to lose to waiver and that was the risk keeping him up. No way he makes it through waiver. Notice they say reassigned not waived.
Also likely looking to make a trade so best to see how things look after that before we judge. Odds are good he gets called up and now they got a look while he was the injury fill in for Kane.
Kasper does not need to be waived this year so not sure why they don’t serve him down. But that is another issue.
They had 2 options, he plays 2 more games and then he is on roster rest of the season because he would not clear waivers, which he would need to do after game 9. This gives flexability to call him back up and secures the Griffins don’t lose their leading scorer. It is more of a compliment to Leonard. They don’t want to lose him for nothing
Thinking Leonard will be back, as well, OTC. Passed his test for sure. Open roster spot is curious. Maybe Graves picked up from the Pens waived for the second time this year? Something may be brewing.
Doesn’t make sense to send him down and leave an open roster spot, especially an overachiever like Leonard. Maybe SY has something in the works.
Greeting Wings Fans,
Well, this was a “Bonehead” move, Kane can’t play for more than two games, then he trips over his own feet, and his worn-out bald tire body has to go into the shop for five games, ten games etc… Riemy is banged up, Marco Kasper isn’t producing, AT All, Soderblom is big but has no “Killer” instinct and skates like he has an anvil in his pants, and we get rid of a bonified spark plug and reward his efforts with a trip back down to the minors.
If I was Leonard, I tell the Wings to take a long walk off a short pier. This was not an intelligent decision. The NHL stands for “Not Here Long” send one of these other nonproductive wankers to the Griffins and put Leonard back on the second line.
This was a fatal error, and it will come back to haunt us…
PBB
I think he will be back soon. He has a right to be annoyed. He has done whatever they asked.
Kasper has been completely invisible all season. He is the one that should have been sent to Grand Rapids. Why they coddle this guy is very puzzling.
Rink agreed but think there must be something in the works to move another player. Something like accept this move go down abs when the player is moved we will bring u right back . Otherwise if I were him I would really be hacked off
Tom, you may very well be right but in the meantime, we have a good player in GR that could be of good value to Detroit while a few clowns get ice time up here. The standings are too close for these crazy moves.
Who?
Please clarify.
Are you referring to Leonard or someone else? Sorry for any confusion.
Bill What I am saying is that Leonard is a good player that helps the team while Sod, Raz, Comp and Kasper seem immune to being benched or in Kasper’s case sent down.
Got it, and agree.
Clearly another bonehead Yzerman move. You could tell Coach was fuming under the surface yet putting up a good face. I don’t believe Yzerman returns next year, regardless of how Wings finish. I believe Little Caesar is finally starting to see the light on Yzerman and his clown show FO staff. It is abundantly clear they do not know how to run an NHL franchise.
This site really needs a Ignore/Block user feature.
I honestly feel that some people post on this forum for no other reason than to get a reaction out of us. Just being contrary for the sake of being contrary. Just an opinion.
Did it?
Chicken butt, right?
You’re up past your bedtime…
Did it?
Get a life pdh
Post comments on a team website you really care about
Did it?
Genius! That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?
PDH Let me guess you don’t care for SY but more someone on the staff. Draper I’d bet. And even I might be tempted to agree on him but not on SY. He’s doing what he said he’d do.
Seems like a headscratcher. But then again it’s Yzerman. Will have to wait a while before judging this move. Could be something in the works here.