Nov 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden (2) before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center. The Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
2. Nick Holden? Also Great!
I don’t want to say I told you, but… I totally told you! Back in July, I wrote an article stating that Nick Holden could be the biggest surprise of the 2015-16 season. Is he the biggest surprise? That’s up to you, I don’t know how surprised you all are. But I can tell you this: Holden is currently one of the better defensemen on the Colorado Avalanche.
Even a few games into this season, people have been saying Holden shouldn’t be in the NHL, just like Guenin and Brad Stuart. But… WHY?!
Holden is constantly one of the Avalanche’s best possession players. Guess which Avs player has the best Corsi-for percentage so far this season. That’s right, it’s Nick Holden. According to stats.hockeyanalysis.com, Holden sits at 49.3, ahead of Blake Comeau’s 48.4 — while being third in Avalanche ice time.
He started out on a pairing with Zadorov and I just hyped the big Russian. But he also looked great with Barrie, which is something Guenin was unable to achieve. Just accept it, Holden isn’t as terrible as Guenin and Stuart.
Next: Duchene Line Still Struggling