The Detroit Red Wings are returning forward John Leonard to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, and this time, it makes perfect sense.

Thursday was Leonard’s 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.

UPDATE: The #RedWings have assigned John Leonard to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/snUXKVwPQu

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2026

That would’ve been too dangerous a risk to take on a player who’s already a 20-goal scorer in the AHL this season.

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.

They weren’t going to be able to do that if he’d played 10 NHL games. So he would have found himself sitting around for two weeks in the midst of the season.

By going down to GR right now, Leonard not only keeps playing, but he’ll 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’ll be available to provide much-needed secondary scoring down the stretch.

Red Wings Recall Dries

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’s game against the Canadiens.

“We likely will, just for insurance purposes,” McLellan said.

UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Sheldon Dries from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/ND6WBFRbwX

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2026

Later Friday, they made that move. Forward Sheldon Dries was summoned from Grand Rapids.

As McLellan notes, Dries will be merely an insurance policy. He’ll be there in case a Detroit regular is hurt in the morning skate or pre-game warm-up, or takes ill on game day.

The AHL-leading Griffins are playing host to the Texas Stars on Friday at 7 p.m.