Yahoo Sports What Defender Ronnie Attard Brings To The Oilers
EDMONTON -- When you have a problem, look for a solution.
The Edmonton Oilers had their hands full with the New Jersey Devils tonight. That resulted in a (score) win/loss ...
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Right before the puck drop, the Oilers executed a trade. They sent AHL vet Ben Gleason to the Philadelphia Flyers for Ronnie Attard.
The #Oilers have acquired defenceman Ronnie Attard from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenceman Ben Gleason. pic.twitter.com/JUHFdodJ4R
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 5, 2024
Gleason was a great professional with good puck-moving skills and little room to work himself into a full-time NHL position in the near future.
At first glance, one thing stands out, the Oilers have traded a left-handed defender for a right-handed defender. They now have two lefties listed on the Bakersfield Condors website, with Attard becoming the sixth rightie on the squad.
Attard Helps The Condors In A Very Specific Way
Most people know that the AHL is where NHL teams develop their young talent. Some may not know that there are many rules put in place on roster construction to help the league stay focused on development.
According to the AHL rulebook, every team must have 12 players dressed for a game who have not played more than 260 regular season games in the AHL, NHL, or professional European League.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Because of this rule, the Condors have had to sit veteran players all season. But not anymore.
Gleason has 359 AHL games under his belt, and Attard only has 113.
Attard, a 6-foot-3 defender, brings some NHL experience, something Gleason did not. Over the last three seasons before 2024-25, he played 29 NHL games, averaging 16:06 in ice time.
At first blush, this doesn't look like a significant move. However, it alleviates concerns with their AHL roster construction while adding a player who could serve as the NHL team's number seven defender.
Not a bad solution.
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