Going against what seems to be the consensus everywhere, but I don’t think Holden has been bad at all. As a disclaimer, this is only based on watching every game so far, without having looked at any advanced stats.
Outside of a couple of bad games (Boston and Carolina) and a few admittedly poor reads/decisions scattered throughout the rest, I think Holden has been pretty good. He’s been pretty good in the corners and in 50/50 battles, has often made pretty good quick outlet passes, and more often than not makes the right decision with the puck. His footspeed isn’t noticeably slow. His gap and positioning has been pretty good. All in all, he seems to be fitting in just fine to the somehow revamped defensive system.
I am in no way advocating that he is deserving of playing on the top pair, or even that he’s a true 3-4 defenseman. However, I also don’t think its fair to him to draw the criticism that he should be benched or nowhere near the lineup.
So to wrap up, I don’t buy into the concept that Holden is playing poorly and is the early season scapegoat. The Rangers have had a fantastic start to the season, and I think all of its players are contributing to their success from top to bottom. Holden has been far from a stud, but in the same vein, he has been far from a dud. Apologies for the rambling post, but I felt a counterpoint could be made to open up some discussion.
I really wish I had posted just about everything you've stated,as those were my sentiments way back......even when he was coughing up the puck and making poor decisions because he wanted to do SOMETHING SPECIAL to impress. A common mistake, right? Good analaysis and a fair evaluation (imo) when nearly everyone was destroying him.
I don't look at charts...I watch games. Holden is a serviceable 4-5 defenseman. He's playing his off side. He makes some nice plays and pulls the occasional rock. He is not a dumpster fire.
Same as above, good for you.
More or less this. Just put him on the left side. I liked the signing when I thought that meant potential movement amongst our LHD. Not for him to play #1RD
Fair enough.
Yeah, Holden fixed a lot of the poor reads he's been making. He does better against less competition, so it's not surprising to see him do well in the role he's more suited to play. He doesn't belong on the top pairing, but you have to give him credit for being serviceable while playing his off-side.
Imo, not enough credit. Obviously he was a better candidate than our overpaid, aging....well u know who.
Don't look now, but he's second on a 10-3-0 team in TOI/G. Credit where credit is due. He's been playing well recently.
Still would like the team to acquire a legit top pairing RHD, however.
We all do, but YOU gave him his props.
The guy has been everything you could want to get and more for the price of the 4th round pick. He has played both sides, 1st, 2nd and 3rd pairing. PK and PP. He plays a nice physical game as well and on top of that, he is scoring.
Good for you, good for Nicky boy, good for AV & the Rangers.
I know many people hate his 'fancy stats' but the guy has been a nice low-cost addition to a defensive corps that needed exactly what he brings.
This isn't discounting the fact that they need to upgrade the right side, but he has played well.
No discounting..........I like it, it would be unfair if we did. He was making some good plays, hitting people and overall.....playing his ass off.
He's just the new whipping boy. He'd have to win a Norris to get some kind of respect around here
Seems that way, good for you taking up for the unjust whipping boy.
Anyone who thinks Holden is that big a liability must not be watching games. He's fine...and he would probably be even better if he wasn't playing his off side. I'd categorize him as a pleasant surprise.
Me too, as I liked him and what he "could someday bring" . He made some really nice plays offensively that "OTHERS" could only dream of making.
He nick you belong in the ahl lol.
Great game Nicky boy keep it up and make the masses eat crow
LOVE this one!
I've never gone from hating a player to liking him so fast like Holden. Like wow I HATED him when we first got him.
Good on you for admitting it, some are still hating. They NEED TO BE RIGHT, even though that would mean, they would be rooting against their team........... they supposedly love.
You cannot stop occasional Power Forward Nick Holden
This. He really kind of is. Man, that powermove he made in one of his first games really impressed me, and will always remember it. Just can't remember against whom. These are the types of goals you NEED TO GET in the Playoffs, following up a sometimes busted play that ends up behind the net and passing to a trailer. I've always noticed that top lines cancel out, and its the contributions made from the offensive defenseman that can join the rush, that makes a difference. This is the new NHL and you NEED dmen that can make plays........mark my words he will get them, and make everyone that ever hated on this kid EAT EFFIN CROW!
It would've been much more difficult to "call out the haters" as there were so many.
I chose to accolade the sensible, positive and more sensitive posts. So sorry to have wasted the negative, unfair and senseless posters time.......NOT!
