The Vegas Golden Knights added to their defensive depth and agreed to a contract with Nick Holden.
The additions keep on coming for the Vegas Golden Knights. Yes, the team has lost David Perron to the St. Louis Blues. However, the team brought back one of their own in Ryan Reaves and signed one of the most significant free agents on the free agent market, Paul Stastny.
The Golden Knights found out during the week that Luca Sbisa will not make a return to the Golden Knights. Sbisa will look for other opportunities around the NHL. However, the Golden Knights didn’t go long without replacing the veteran defenseman.
On Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights signed Nick Holden to a two-year contract. The deal is worth 4.2 million dollars and 2.2 against the cap per year. Another solid addition to the Golden Knights crowded blue line. Great depth move by Vegas general manger George McPhee.
Holden split time between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins during the 2017-18 season. In 73 games played, he notched four goals, 13 assists and 17 points between the two clubs. Holden should battle for spots with Brad Hunt and Jon Merrill in training camp.
There’s nothing wrong with friendly competition in camp. It should only strive for all three players to be better hockey players and professionals. But in my opinion, Holden has the inside track on earning a roster spot over Hunt and Merrill.
Holden brings size, stability, and steadiness to his game. Let’s face it; the Golden Knights defense doesn’t have a ton of size and Holden comes in at 6’4 and 214 lbs. The Golden Knights needed one more tower on the blue line to go along with fellow big defensemen such as Brayden McNabb and Deryk Engelland.
The 31-year old has a decent shot from the point, but his job is to take over the Sbisa role and eat minutes. He may lack Sbisa’s physical element, but his positioning and skating ability works in the Vegas system a lot better.
The St. Albert, Alberta native once scored 11 goals, 23 assists and 34 points in 2015-16 so he does have some offensive ability. But he hasn’t come close to those numbers in two years. I wouldn’t expect Holden to have an offensive breakout, but you never know. Head Coach Gerard Gallant knows how to get the best out of a player, so perhaps he can do the same with Holden.
Next: Vegas Golden Knights Officially Sign Paul Stastny
Overall, another healthy decision by George McPhee and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights look like they’re far from done. With plenty of cap space and roster spots to fill before training camp, McPhee seems to be even more aggressive on the free agent market than he ever was when he was with Washington.