{"id":506269,"date":"2026-01-10T13:57:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T13:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/506269\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T13:57:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T13:57:13","slug":"red-wings-play-roster-roulette-detroit-hockey-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/506269\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Wings Play Roster Roulette \/ Detroit Hockey Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit<\/a> Red Wings are returning forward John Leonard<\/a> to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins<\/a>, and this time, it makes perfect sense.<\/p>\n

Thursday was Leonard\u2019s ninth game of the season for the Red Wings. Once he plays his 10th game, he will be required to clear NHL waivers to be sent down to the minor leagues.<\/p>\n

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UPDATE: The #RedWings<\/a> have assigned John Leonard to the AHL\u2019s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com\/snUXKVwPQu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

That would\u2019ve been too dangerous a risk to take on a player who\u2019s already a 20-goal scorer in the AHL this season.<\/p>\n

There will be a long break in the NHL schedule for the Olympics in a few weeks. At that juncture, the Red Wings would most certainly want to return Leonard to Grand Rapids. That would be so he could keep playing.<\/p>\n

They weren\u2019t going to be able to do that if he\u2019d played 10 NHL games. So he would have found himself sitting around for two weeks in the midst of the season.<\/p>\n

By going down to GR right now, Leonard not only keeps playing, but he\u2019ll be keeping his scoring touch razor sharp. The Red Wings can recall him after the NHL returns to action following the conclusion of the Olympics. They may even wait until after the NHL trade deadline passes. He\u2019ll be available to provide much-needed secondary scoring down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Red Wings Recall Dries<\/p>\n

Detroit coach Todd McLellan made the confirmation to reporters that they would recall another forward from the AHL Griffins, and that player will be making the trip to Montreal for Saturday\u2019s game against the Canadiens.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe likely will, just for insurance purposes,\u201d McLellan said.<\/p>\n

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UPDATE: The #RedWings<\/a> have recalled Sheldon Dries from the AHL\u2019s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com\/ND6WBFRbwX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Later Friday, they made that move. Forward Sheldon Dries was summoned from Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n

As McLellan notes, Dries will be merely an insurance policy. He\u2019ll be there in case a Detroit regular is hurt in the morning skate or pre-game warm-up, or takes ill on game day.<\/p>\n

The AHL-leading Griffins are playing host to the Texas Stars on Friday at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

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