New York Rangers: Why is Nick Holden still playing?

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 10: Paul Stastny /

The Rangers are not off to a good start. With a weak record, there are many questions about the team and coaching staff. Of the many issues Rangers, fans have, the biggest one is, why is Nick Holden getting ice-time?

The Rangers expected over the summer that they could roll out one of the best defensive corps in the NHL. Kevin Shattenkirk believed that he would be playing alongside Ryan McDonagh and everyone in the NHL thought the Rangers would be much better than they are now.

Of all the thoughts and beliefs fans and analysts, none of them ever predicted Nick Holden, the Rangers resident mess would be getting as much ice-time as he has.

To Showcase?

Nick Holden has been a subject of a few trade rumors since the summer. With the absence of a center, many believed the Rangers would acquire one before the season started. Given that the Rangers have few expendable assets, Holden is one of the more likely candidates to be moved.

The Rangers acquired Holden for a fourth-round pick. His play might not seem worthy of a 7th round pick, but the Rangers need to pick up a piece to help stabilize the sinking ship that is the Rangers season. Teams that for some reason may be interested in Holden are likely intrigued by his play against divisional opponents like the Penguins and Capitals. Consequently, the Ranger have lost many of those games against those teams.

The Rangers schedule early on in the season is very difficult as exciting, and young teams visit the Garden for the majority of September. Playing Holden against these teams, as painful as it might be, is the best option for the Rangers if they want to improve the team.

Probably Not

Alain Vigneault is perhaps one of the most stubborn coaches in the NHL. His refusal to play rookies and those he is unfamiliar with is costing the Rangers. Choosing to give Holden a healthy amount of ice-time is no different.

If Vigneault felt comfortable enough to play Holden in big-time moments during the playoffs last year, why would he not play him in similar capacities this season? Rangers fans all know what Kevin Shattenkirk brings to the table. It would appear Vigneault does not. That is why he chooses to play Holden, the fear of uncertainty.

As a coach in the NHL, you have to be able to recognize talent and play it accordingly. For the first time since Brian Leetch, the Rangers have a world-class defenseman on their roster. That player is playing on the third pairing with Marc Staal. Holden on the other hand, who has done nothing special in his career is playing alongside Ryan McDonagh. That alone is a significant problem

The Solution

The apparent answer amongst many fans is to fire Alain Vigneault. Long term, this might be the best option. In his tenure as coach, Vigneault has brought a lot of success to the team. At the same time, he has stunted the growth of the Rangers future. Playing Holden over Shattenkirk and Anthony DeAngelo is just one example of this.

It might be time for the Rangers management to get involved. The team is currently looking for a dumpster fire, and Jeff Gorton might need to step in and talk to Vigneault. From the performance we have seen from the team, it would appear as if the two did not discuss the moves the Rangers made during the summer.

Next: New York Rangers: Don’t panic, but it’s time to panic

The Rangers appear to be in hot water early on. No piece of the puzzle looks like it fits and it shows with the team on the ice. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing there is one. It doesn’t look like the Ranger have completed step one. If they don’t, fans will sadly see number 55 out on the ice more often than not.

Home/Analysis