Avalanche Trade Nick Holden To Rangers For Draft Pick

According to the team Twitter account, the Colorado Avalanche have traded defenceman Nick Holden to the Rangers in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2017. This comes after weeks of speculation about pending RFA (and Holden’s partner) Tyson Barrie and his status on the trade market.

Holden played in all 82 games for the Avalanche last season, and saw his role increase to just under 22 minutes a night. Chipping in 22 points, the hulking defenceman was among the Colorado leaders in both hits and blocked shots. He’ll probably move to a third pairing role on a Rangers squad who despite losing Keith Yandle are still a deep group.

For the Rangers, a fourth round pick is a small price to pay for the dependability and control that Holden gives you on the blueline. The 29-year old is under contract for the next two seasons at just $1.65MM and leaves them with close to $17MM in cap room for 2016-17.