New York Rangers: Top five trade destinations for Nick Holden

Apr 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) passes the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) passes the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) scores a goal past Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the first period of game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) scores a goal past Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the first period of game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rangers had options and they decided to protect Holden from the expansion draft. The Rangers still need to improve on their defensive core and could move Holden to help that case…

Coming into this summer, the New York Rangers and their front office knew that they needed to address their defensive core. They started improving their defense when they signed a young 23-year-old KHL defenseman from Russia; Alexei Bereglazov.

The Rangers then bought out career-long Ranger, Dan Girardi. It started to seem like the Rangers were on the right path to improving the defense. The Rangers could’ve signed and protected unrestricted free agent, Brendan Smith but they didn’t. Instead they decided to protect Nick Holden.

There is a surplus of left-handed defensemen on the Rangers lineup and they could use improvement elsewhere. Moving Nick Holden could help those causes, this is a list of the top 5 destinations for Nick Holden…

Apr 12, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens as defenseman Nick Holden (22) defends during the second period of game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens as defenseman Nick Holden (22) defends during the second period of game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are a team that is still going through a major rebuilding phase. They just lost one of their veteran left-handed defensemen in Luca Sbisa to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft. The Canucks have a surplus of young right-handed defensemen under the age of 30.

The Canucks are in need of another left-handed defenseman and that is where Nick Holden steps in. Holden can join Alexander Edler on the left side of the defense and bring in some leadership and wisdom.

Holden could help mentor the younger talent in the organization and it would give him a place to start fresh. The Canucks could send one their younger right-handed defensive prospects to the Rangers in exchange for Holden’s services.

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are another possible destination for Nick Holden’s services. The Jets could also use some veteran presence on the left side of the defense. The Jets are building up a nice looking defense on the right side with names such as Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, and Paul Postma.

Winnipeg’s left side of the defense contributed less than 12 goals all of last season and Holden could help give the Jets a boost in that category. Now it would take a Gorton heist to somehow land Trouba in a deal involving Holden but the Rangers also need help down the middle.

The Rangers could attempt to send a package of Holden + for one of the Jets’ center-men. Gorton and the Rangers need to improve down the middle after trading Derek Stepan to Arizona.

Winnipeg could be a potential suitor for Nick Holden’s services if the right deal was introduced between the Rangers and the Jets.

May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nick Holden (22) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Stars

It is safe to say that the Dallas Stars also need help defensively. Their best left-handed defenseman is a 34-year-old, Dan Hamhuis. The Stars currently only have four defensemen under contract through next season. Only one of them is a left-handed defensemen and that is the man who was stated before, Hamhuis.

The Stars need help on the left-side of their defense in the worst way possible. The Stars also have something that the New York Rangers need which makes them potential trade partners. After sending backup goaltender, Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes, the Rangers are in the market for someone to backup Henrik Lundqvist.

The Stars currently have three fringe-starting caliber goaltenders signed. They have Ben Bishop, Antti Niemi, and Kari Lehtonen and they only need two of them. If the Rangers and Stars can work out a deal involving Holden and one of those goaltenders, it could end up being a win-win trade for all parties included.

Mar 18, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden (2) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Colorado Avalanche won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden (2) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Colorado Avalanche won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Colorado Avalanche

Cue the music! ‘I’m Coming Home’ video montage on opening night for Nick Holden playing in the Pepsi Center. It’s like a storybook ending! Nick Holden comes back to Colorado to help rebuild the Avalanche, it’s the perfect ending.

In all honesty though, the Colorado Avalanche need help on the left side of their defense as well. They have three defensemen signed to their current roster, and just one plays the left side. Holden can bring an affordable presence to the young Avalanche locker room.

The Rangers are weak down the middle as of now and the Avalanche have a surplus of young, talented centers in which the Rangers would love to acquire. If the Rangers and Avalanche can find a common ground, a trade between these two teams wouldn’t be shocking in the slightest.

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Anywhere Other Than The Rangers

The New York Rangers have Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, Marc Staal, and UFA Brandan Smith on their left side of the defense. There isn’t much room for Nick Holden anymore. The Rangers need to focus on the holes in their lineup that now include center, right-handed defensemen and a backup goaltender.

They need to find a suitor to take Nick Holden to help improve in the positions that is needed. It might be hard to find a partner willing to take on Holden though. After his less than stellar playoff performance (That is going easy on him), it’s safe to say his value plummeted.

Next: Lindy Ruff Hired As Defense Coach

Holden will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He also carries a rather reasonable contract at $1,650,000. There are teams that need a left-handed defensemen. With his reasonable contract, there is no reason Jeff Gorton and the Rangers front office shouldn’t be trying to move Holden. As long as the piece coming back helps fill a hole in the roster, move Holden at all costs, Gorton.

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