Edmonton Oilers Make One For One Defence Trade With Philadelphia Flyers

The Oilers are trading 26 year old defenceman Ben Gleason to the Flyers in exchange for 25 year old defenceman Ronnie Attard.

This trade is immediately interesting because the two players are incredibly similar, fringe NHL defenders.

Ben Gleason was undrafted, but joined the Dallas Stars system out of the OHL. After a season on the Stars AHL team, Gleason was called up for four games in 2018, but hasn't played in the NHL since. Gleason joined the Oilers organization on a two way contract, and has been off to a great start on the Bakersfield Condors this season - scoring 4 points in 7 games and being the best defenceman on the team.

Ronnie Attard does have a little more pedigree than Gleason from being a third round draft pick in 2019, and playing 29 NHL games in his career so far. Attard is a right shot defenceman and a big body at 6'3 and 210 pounds, and he can use his size in his play. In 7 games this year, the young American defender doesn't have any points, but he is known for his thunderous shot.

It seems possible that both teams may have completed the swap just to add a defenceman who shoots on the other side, given that it's the only significant difference between the two. Considering the Oilers weakness on defence this year it's possible that Attard sees some ice time, but it's probably about as unlikely as Gleason playing was. The Oilers are also stacked with right shot defence in the organization.

Oilers analyst Bruce Curlock believes the reasoning behind the trade is alleviate the Condors surplus of veterans. Every AHL team needs to dress a minimum amount of NHL players per game, and the Condors have plenty this year.

We'll have to see in the next few days what plans the Oilers have for Ronnie Attard. For now, it's very likely he'll just be sent to the AHL Bakersfield Condors.