A Calculated Gamble in Detroit
The Detroit Red Wings announced Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with 27‑year‑old blueliner Ronnie Attard, inking him to a one‑year, two‑way contract that guarantees a league‑minimum NHL salary of $850,000 while paying $300,000 in the American Hockey League.
Attard, who spent the bulk of the previous season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, posted a career‑high 12 goals and 32 points in 73 games, a performance that helped him secure a two‑year extension with Philadelphia in July 2023 before he was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers in early November 2024.
After a brief stint in Edmonton’s system, where he recorded 17 points in 59 AHL appearances, Attard was non‑tendered by the Oilers and subsequently signed with the Colorado Avalanche, where he posted 17 points in 44 games for their AHL club during the 2025‑26 campaign.
Now the defenseman finds himself back in the Midwest, competing for a spot on a Red Wings blue line that has been bolstered by several offseason acquisitions, making his chances of earning a regular NHL roster position far from guaranteed.
What the Numbers Reveal
The contract’s two‑way structure reflects a pragmatic approach by Detroit’s management, offering financial flexibility while rewarding Attard’s proven AHL production, which includes a 10‑goal, 27‑point season in 2023‑24 with the Flyers’ farm team.
From a statistical standpoint, his 0.43 points per game in the AHL ranks him among the more productive defensemen at that level, a metric that the Red Wings hope will translate into occasional NHL minutes.
Roster Outlook
With training camp opening next week, Attard will join a crowded group of defensemen vying for the limited opening night slots, a battle that could see him alternate between the NHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins depending on coaching decisions and injury circumstances.
The move also underscores the team’s willingness to blend youthful depth with veteran experience, a strategy that could pay dividends if Attard can carve out a regular role on the ice.