The Detroit Red Wings are wasting no time this offseason, making a key move to secure depth and scoring potential. Following a tough late-season collapse that extended their playoff drought to a decade, the front office has begun retooling by re-signing forward John Leonard to a one-year, $850,000 contract for the 2026-27 campaign.

Leonard, 27, has been an offensive force for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins this season, lighting the lamp with 32 goals and 53 points in just 46 games. His proven scoring touch at the minor-league level—he also notched 61 points last season—provides crucial organizational depth as the Griffins enter the playoffs as the Western Conference's top seed.

While his 11-game stint with Detroit this year yielded a modest two goals and two assists, Leonard brings valuable experience from previous NHL stops in Arizona, Nashville, and San Jose. This contract represents a low-risk, high-reward bet for the Red Wings, securing a proven AHL producer who can push for a regular NHL role and help cultivate a winning culture throughout the organization.