Flyers deal Ronnie Attard to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Ben Gleason

The Flyers have decided to shake things up on the blue line, sending Ronnie Attard to the Edmonton Oilers in a straightforward swap for defenseman Ben Gleason.

The trade, announced Monday night, essentially exchanges two AHL regulars looking for an opportunity to break into the NHL.

Flyers Trade Ronnie Attard to Edmonton Oilers for Ben Gleason

TRADE ALERT: We have acquired defenseman Ben Gleason from Edmonton in exchange for defenseman Ronnie Attard. https://t.co/IvrEskhfFR

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 5, 2024

Ben Gleason, 26, has been a reliable point producer in the AHL, recording 32 points with a plus-8 rating last season with the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate.

Gleason hasn’t seen NHL action since a brief four-game stint with the Dallas Stars back in November 2018, but he brings experience and steady performance at the minor-league level.

Attard, 25, has been on the Flyers’ radar for a few seasons but has yet to cement himself as an NHL mainstay. Drafted in the third round in 2019 (72nd overall), he showed promise, especially during his college career at Western Michigan.

He made his NHL debut with the Flyers late in the 2021-22 season, yet his career has largely been spent with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL.

Last season, he put up 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 48 games for the Phantoms, but struggled to make a lasting impression in Flyers’ training camp this year.

For Attard, this trade could represent a fresh start—a chance to break through with a new organization. While he didn’t find his footing in Philadelphia, maybe Edmonton will be the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

For both teams, this one-for-one trade provides an injection of new potential on the blue line as they look to bolster their depth at both the AHL and NHL levels.

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