The Boston Bruins have found their defensive depth, acquiring Nick Holden from the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick and minor league defenseman Rob O’Gara. There is no salary retention in the trade. Boston had been sniffing around for a defensive addition, even linked to fellow Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh at one point.
In Holden, the Bruins add a legitimate NHL defender for a relatively low price. Scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, the 30-year old carries just a $1.65MM cap hit and has shown an ability to log big minutes in the past. Coming off his career-high of 34 points last season, Holden has just 12 this year while starting to show the beginning of a decline. A solid puck-mover, he nevertheless gets his team in trouble sometimes due to bad turnovers and like the rest of the Rangers defense has had trouble with defensive zone coverage this year.
Boston may be a perfect fit for the undrafted defenseman, as he’ll be able to play less significant minutes and face easier competition. The Bruins defense corps is already a good one, and just needed some depth for what looks to be a long playoff run. Where Holden will fit in is unclear, but Boston now has plenty of options on the blue line.
Getting a third-round pick for Holden is another good return for the Rangers, as it was unlikely they would retain his services in free agency. The team now has seven picks in the 2018 draft, and will likely add to that over the coming days. Rick Nash and Michael Grabner are the other big rental pieces the Rangers hold, and both are expected to be on the move before Monday’s deadline.
New York though has said that they’re looking for players, not just draft picks at the deadline. O’Gara is an interesting addition even if he hasn’t made much of an NHL impact just yet. The 24-year old has played 11 games with the Bruins over the last two years, but has shown an excellent shutdown ability in the minor leagues. The 6’4″ defenseman has a good active stick and is willing to engage physically. Whether he gets a chance in New York right away will likely depend on how active they are over the next few days, but as a restricted free agent he can stay in the organizations plans going forward.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Good trade
Huh?
Nice move. Go get another forward now.
as a Ranger fan I am OK with this. An extra pick is nice and the Rangers defense is pretty bad under normal circumstances. Right now it is injury riddled so hopefully they take a look at this kid the rest of the way. His Boston stats don’t inspire much confidence but AHL and college look alright.
The Rangers sent a 4th rounder to the Avs for Holden
Get a 3rd and player for him.
Great job Jeff Gorton!
That is a huge return for Holden. I’m starting to think Gorton might actually this right.
Pretty good haul for the Rangers. This should also set a decent market for sellers (at least when it comes to defensemen). Still waiting for the first forward “domino” to fall.
Could very well be the Rangers who set that market too. I think Nash will be the first one traded.
Wow what a glowing report! Has trouble with d zone coverage and is prone to bad turnovers. Maybe he can pair with krug and that way they have a chance to set the most turnover record
Useless move
He’s a good 6th defenseman on a strong team, he can play some good minutes for them down the stretch. He’s better than McQuaid, and frankly this gives them the flexibility to move McQuaid and his 3 million if they need more cap room for another addition.
I don’t see it McQuaid brings us edge that is need in the playoffs and we have Miller also it wasn’t a move that really helps or hurts the team but they may have been able to use that 3rd for a big winger like Maroon or Nash
Nash will cost more than that and they don’t have the cap space even with retained salary I don’t think, and Maroon is a prime example of the McDavid effect. However, I think a 4th and a conditional pick based on him resigning could potentially be enough with the number of wingers on the market.
McQuaid is overpaid and will be moved if a bigger addition is made, and Miller is good but Holden gives them enough depth in case of an injury or two like last year when John Michael Liles was playing big minutes…
There’s a reason McQuaid brings an edge, because if he didn’t he wouldn’t bring anything. If they can deal McQuaid or at the very least if Holden could take minutes from him I’d count this as an improvement. Rather not have given up a 3rd but it’s not a huge deal.
I don’t think Holden is as bad as he’s looked this year but he’s probably not the 35 point scorer from last year. Probably somewhere in the middle. I agree with all that McQuaid is expendable.