John
Leonard
L · DET
- WAR
- 0.2
- PTS
- 4
2025-26№ 301 / 615
John Leonard (Detroit Red Wings) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
John Leonard
#43LPlays: Left wing · 0% of faceoffs
Detroit Red Wings
HEIGHT : 180 cm · WEIGHT : 87 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : August 6, 1998 · Westwood, United States
Drafted : 2018 · SJS · round 6, pick #182
Contract : $850,000 · 2026-27 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Detroit Red Wings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Detroit Red Wings | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Arizona Coyotes | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | San Jose Sharks | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | San Jose Sharks | 44 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 84 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 4 | |
John Leonard: our analysis
2025-26 season: 11 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS, -3 +/-, 11:30 TOI. WAR 0.2 (301st of 615).
In 2025-26, John Leonard, 28, his WAR of 0.2 ranks 301st among 615 regulars, in the top half.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+0.5).
John Leonard's story
Amherst, Massachusetts provided the backdrop for John Leonard's early hockey education, a setting that led him from junior hockey to the college ranks. He spent two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL and, after going unselected in the 2016 draft, opted for UMass where he combined studies in Communications and Sport Management with hockey for the Minutemen.
Leonard broke out as a collegiate scorer, finishing his third year as the NCAA's leading goal scorer with 27 goals and earning a spot among the Hobey Baker finalists. Those numbers turned NHL heads and, despite little pre-draft contact, San Jose picked him in the sixth round, 182nd overall, in the 2018 entry draft. He left college early and signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Sharks on March 31, 2020.
He made an immediate impact in his NHL debut on January 14, 2021, recording two assists against the Arizona Coyotes and netted his first NHL goal on February 15, 2021, versus the Anaheim Ducks. After two seasons within San Jose's organization, Leonard was traded to Nashville on July 8, 2022—along with a 2023 third-round pick—in exchange for Luke Kunin. The Predators re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract for 2022–23; most of that season was spent with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals where he posted 17 goals and 27 points in 67 games, while also appearing in six games for Nashville and scoring the game-winning goal in his first game for the club on March 2, 2023.
Unsigned as a restricted free agent by Nashville, Leonard joined the Arizona Coyotes on a one-year, two-way contract on July 3, 2023. He began 2023–24 with the Tucson Roadrunners after clearing waivers, was recalled in March 2024, made his Coyotes debut on March 14 versus Detroit, and scored his first goal for Arizona on March 20 against Dallas. The following off-season he signed a one-year AHL deal with the Charlotte Checkers on July 2, 2024, and his 61 points in 72 regular-season games in 2024–25 earned him a place on the league's Second All-Star Team.
That offensive leap opened the door back to the NHL: on July 1, 2025 Leonard signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Detroit Red Wings. He is best described as a forward who produces offence consistently, with a nose for goal that has translated into impact performances at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 11:14
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:04
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:01
- Pts/GP
- 0.00
- EV points
- 0
- Hits
- 4
- Blocks
- 1
- Takeaways
- 0
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 42.1 %
- Off. zone starts
- 20.7 %
- Faceoffs
- 0.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
3between 0 and 12 (80% range)
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 2
- Games
- 13
So far: 0 pts in 3 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.30 pts per game (last season: 0.36).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.2
wins above replacement
-0.1 to 0.6 — 90% interval
301 of 615 forwards
+1.0 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.0
- EV defense
- +0.0
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +0.5
- Penalties
- +0.2
- Average → replacement
- +0.3
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | DET | 11 | 0.2 | -0.1 to 0.6 | 301/615 |
| 2023-24 | ARI | 6 | 0.1 | -0.1 to 0.3 | 323/608 |
| 2022-23 | NSH | 6 | 0.1 | -0.1 to 0.5 | 313/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 118.7 km/h12th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.1 km/h23rd percentileleague avg. 35.1 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 722nd percentileleague avg. 20
- Offensive zone time
- 41.2 %41st percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 8.4 km9th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 2.96 km9th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.3 %54th percentileleague avg. 41.2 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.2 %14th percentileleague avg. 18.0 %
- Defensive zone time
- 41.7 %29th percentileleague avg. 39.6 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 823rd percentile | 024th percentile | 0.0 %3rd percentile |
| High danger | 221st percentile | 034th percentile | 0.0 %10th percentile |
| Mid range | 334th percentile | 054th percentile | 0.0 %32nd percentile |
| Long range | 153rd percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
COL
TBL
FLAJohn Leonard: frequently asked questions
How many goals does John Leonard have in 2026-27?
John Leonard has 0 goals and 0 points (0 assists) in 3 games in 2026-27.
How old is John Leonard?
John Leonard is 28 years old: he was born on August 7, 1998.
How tall is John Leonard, and how much does he weigh?
John Leonard is 5'11" (180 cm) and weighs 192 lb (87 kg).
Where is John Leonard from?
United States: John Leonard was born in Westwood, New Jersey, United States.
What team does John Leonard play for?
John Leonard plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL, at L, wearing number 43.
Is John Leonard injured?
No: John Leonard is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is John Leonard?
John Leonard produced 0.2 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 301st of 615 players at his position in the NHL.
How much does John Leonard make?
John Leonard carries a cap hit of $850K per season, on a contract worth $850K in total over 1 years.
When does John Leonard's contract end?
John Leonard's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is John Leonard a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 301st of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has John Leonard played lately?
Over his last 3 games, John Leonard has 0 points (0 goals, 0 assists).
What are John Leonard's career stats?
Over his NHL career, John Leonard has 84 games, 8 goals, 13 assists and 21 points. His best season: 2020-21, with 13 points in 44 games.
Where was John Leonard drafted?
John Leonard was drafted 182nd overall (round 6) by San Jose Sharks in 2018.
How does John Leonard perform in the playoffs?
John Leonard has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
Is John Leonard a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 3 points in 2026-27, or 0.23 points per game.
Does John Leonard have siblings?
Yes: his brother Ryan Leonard (plays professional ice hockey for the Washington Capitals of the NHL).
Is John Leonard related to anyone famous?
Yes: John Leonard Sr. (father, was an assistant coach for the UMass Minutemen basketball team between 2001 and 2005).
What is John Leonard's nationality?
John Leonard is American.
What awards has John Leonard won?
Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award ; Led all NCAA players in goals with 27 (college season mentioned).
Where did John Leonard play before turning pro?
Played two years for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), then for the UMass Minutemen while studying Communications and Sport Management.
How many points is John Leonard projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 3 points in 13 games in 2026-27 (0 to 12 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Detroit Red Wings teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)