The Detroit Red Wings sent John Leonard down to Grand Rapids on Dec. 30 after the forward posted four points (2 G 2 A) in 7 games with the main roster. On the evening of Jan. 4, Leonard is reporting back to Detroit for more NHL time. Hopefully he didn't have to unpack or repack too much of his bag.
Leonard, signed to the Grand Rapids Griffins this offseason, led the AHL in scoring through the first two months of the season, with 19 goals and 10 assists in 20 games. Called up by Detroit in mid-December, Leonard filled in on Detroit's second line for an injured Patrick Kane, though he would end up playing in a few different spots in the lineup through his seven games with the main club,
After sending Leonard down, the Red Wings played three games, beating only the Winnipeg Jets on New Years Eve, and suffering back-to-back losses against the Pittsburgh Penguins to start the new calendar year.