The Detroit Red Wings are at a crossroads after the offseason departures of veteran forward Patrick Kane and the trade request of captain Dylan Larkin, leaving a noticeable gap in their offensive production.
A Scoring Crisis in Detroit
With the power play no longer anchored by Kane’s elite setup, the team’s management has turned its attention to internal options that can provide both depth and a spark.
John Leonard, a left-winger who topped the Grand Rapids Griffins with 33 goals in the 2023-24 AHL season, has emerged as a leading candidate for a one-year extension.
Across the last two seasons, including playoffs, Leonard has tallied 80 goals, and he capped the 2024-25 campaign with a career-high 36 markers for the Charlotte Checkers.
Coach Todd McLellan has publicly highlighted Leonard’s speed and offensive creativity, noting that the player’s shot and playmaking have become more pronounced since his brief NHL appearances last year.
In just 11 games with Detroit, Leonard contributed two goals and two assists, a sample that has convinced the front office that his skill set could translate into meaningful minutes.
The proposed contract would carry an annual average value of $850,000, a figure that fits within the club’s budgetary constraints while offering a low-risk insurance policy for a roster in flux.
Leonard’s anticipated role includes bolstering the power play and providing secondary scoring on the fifth line, a combination that could offset the loss of Kane’s 30-plus goal production.
What Leonard Brings to the Table
Beyond raw numbers, Leonard’s anticipation and accuracy on the ice have earned praise from former teammate Patrick Kane, who described the left-winger’s shot as a weapon that can change the tempo of a game.
If the Red Wings secure Leonard’s services, the organization hopes to maintain competitiveness in a highly competitive Central Division while rebuilding around younger talent.