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#19 John Leonard
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Pos: LW
D.O.B.: 8/7/98
From: Westwood, NJ
Height: 5'11
Weight: 192
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 2018 draft 6th rnd, 182nd overall by San Jose
Acquired: Signed 1 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) 7/1/25 |
| Personal: |
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| Plus: Pure offensive scorer... High hockey IQ and on-ice vision... Adept at reading defensive breakdowns and taking advantage of them... Soft hands able to distribute as well as score...
| | Minus: Lacks ideal NHL size and strength... Defensive game while improved is still suspect... |
| Organizational Comments: Red Wings Head Coach - Todd McClellan "I liked his game, you could see his speed and creativity. That line was a factor in the game. Patty Kane, of course we'd like to have him, but when we didn't, I thought John went in and did a really good job. The pace of the play on that line stayed up, and..." |
What GRC says: Fall 2026
2025-26 For the first half of the season, Leonard was one of the AHL's most dangerous scorers. He led the league with 22 goals in 27 games, showcasing his finishing ability, pace, and confidence. At that point, he looked poised for a career year. After returning from an NHL recall late in the season, Leonard wasn't the same player. He lacked the same jump and scoring intensity, managing 11 goals in 20 games down the stretch. His diminished impact was emblematic of what the Griffins lacked in their short playoff run, where he contributed just one goal. When Leonard is healthy and in rhythm, he is a major asset on special teams. He played a key role on the league's top ranked penalty kill, where he was the AHL leader in shorthanded goals. His ability to pressure puck carriers and turn mistakes into offense is a defining part of his game. Signed for another season, Leonard will look to rebound as an elite scoring threat while continuing to push for a more permanent opportunity at the NHL level.
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| Role: Scoring Winger |
| Projection: NHL Middle Six Wing |
| Transactions |
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| 7/1/25 | Signed 1 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) |
| 9/18/25 | Invited to Training Camp |
| 10/2/25 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 12/14/25 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 12/30/25 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 1/4/26 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 1/9/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 3/8/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 3/8/26 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 3/11/26 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 3/12/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 3/13/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 3/14/26 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 3/20/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 4/16/26 | Signed 1 yr contract extension with Detroit (NHL) |
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