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Vegas Golden Knights Report Card: Nick Holden

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 08: Nick Holden #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights battles Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers for the puck during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on January 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 08: Nick Holden #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights battles Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers for the puck during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on January 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Nick Holden #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights defend the net against a Los Angeles Kings’ shot in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kings defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Nick Holden #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights defend the net against a Los Angeles Kings’ shot in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kings defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Why The Grade

Although he had some bright spots, it was a disappointing year overall for Holden who never really made his mark for the Golden Knights.

He played third-line minutes for the majority of the season and his lack of action in the postseason probably tells you all you need to know about his importance to this franchise.

With underwhelming numbers in both zones, he was also worse among team defensemen at 5-on-5 when it came to the team’s save percentage while he was on the ice.

Holden has struggled at the NHL level for a few years now and hasn’t really been able to stick anywhere, bouncing from the Rangers to the Boston Bruins and then to the Golden Knights last year.

In truth, the veteran blueliner was always signed to add some depth to the defense corps and he was never going to log top-line minutes for the Knights.

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And it remains unclear as to whether or not Holden will actually play out the final year of his contract in Vegas.

As mentioned in this article already, the Knights need to pull the trigger on some more moves if they are to sign Nikita Gusev to a new deal, and shedding Holden’s $2,200,000 salary would go some way to achieving that goal.

Another caveat to consider is the fact that, with Deryk Engelland on the cusp of signing a new deal and with Jon Merrill evolving into a solid presence on the blueline, Holden’s ice time may take a hit in 2019-20.

He could even find himself playing the role of a seventh defenseman given that the Vegas front office have indicated that one of Nic Hague, Jimmy Schuldt, Zach Whitecloud, Dylan Coghlan and Jake Bischoff will be on the NHL roster next year.

Next. Cody Eakin Report Card. dark

In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if all five get the chance to impress in the big leagues at one point or another next year, further restricting Holden’s minutes and ice time.

The Vegas Golden Knights have options with Nick Holden in terms of either trading the defenseman or even buying him out, so don’t be surprised if 2017-18 was his one and only year in Sin City.

The Numbers

Games: 61

Goals: 3

Assists: 12

Points: 15

PIM: 14

ATOI: 18:18

Plus / Minus: +5

Hits: 104

Blocked Shots: 76

Takeaways: 26

CF%: 55.7

oZS%: 56.5

Next Report Card: Daniel Carr

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