The Detroit Red Wings have taken an early step toward preparing for the offseason after another disappointing year, agreeing to bring back forward John Leonard on a one-year contract worth $850,000 for the 2026–27 season. Reports from Daily Faceoff confirmed the new deal shortly after Detroit’s season came to an end.
The Red Wings were unable to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again, marking their 10th straight season outside the postseason. What made this year especially frustrating was that the team had been in a strong playoff position earlier in the campaign before suffering a major late-season collapse that pushed them out of contention.
With their NHL season finished, Detroit has already begun making roster decisions, and re-signing Leonard appears to be one of the first priorities. The 27-year-old forward has been highly productive this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate. The Griffins have enjoyed an excellent season and entered the playoffs as the top seed in the AHL’s Western Conference.
Leonard delivered standout numbers in 46 AHL games, scoring 32 goals while adding 21 assists for a total of 53 points. His offensive consistency has made him one of the most dangerous scorers in the league.
This success is not new for Leonard. During the previous season, he also impressed with the Charlotte Checkers, where he recorded 61 points while playing for the Florida Panthers affiliate.
His strong AHL form earned him another opportunity in the NHL this season, appearing in 11 games for Detroit. In those appearances, he contributed two goals and two assists, showing flashes of his scoring ability at the top level.
Before joining the Red Wings organization, Leonard also spent NHL time with the Arizona Coyotes, Nashville Predators, and San Jose Sharks.
At this stage of his career, questions remain about whether Leonard can fully translate his strong AHL production into a permanent NHL role. However, players who can dominate at the minor-league level remain extremely valuable to organizations, both for depth and for supporting winning farm systems. Even if Leonard does not become a full-time NHL contributor, he has clearly proven himself to be an impact player in the AHL.
By re-signing Leonard, Detroit secures reliable organizational depth and keeps one of its most productive minor-league scorers in the system as the franchise looks to rebound next season.
