Holden Ready for Whatever Role Comes His Way

TORONTO - Three days off at this time of the year is good for any team. With the stretch run on the horizon and the push for the postseason heating up, every bit of rest can be beneficial.
Thus, the Bruins have been trying to take advantage of their three-day reprieve in Toronto. And with a new teammate added to the fray, it has made for the perfect time for a little team bonding.

Boston acquired defenseman Nick Holden from the Rangers on Tuesday and he arrived in Toronto the following afternoon. With three days off before Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs, Holden has been able to spend some quality time getting to know his new teammates.
"I actually don't know a single guy," said Holden, who was expecting he would likely be dealt before the deadline. "It actually worked out good. I was able to get in two days ago and join the team for dinner, got to meet everyone right away…it was nice to get a social supper with the all the guys just before you have to get out and work because you get guys in a different scenario than at the rink. So far it's been a smooth transition."
Holden took part in his first practice with the group on Friday morning at Richoh Coliseum and was part of a five-man rotation through the third defense pairing, which included Matt Grzelcyk, Adam McQuaid, Kevan Miller, and Paul Postma.
"You come into a team that's playing so well, obviously deep on the blue line, I just want to come in here and try to help the team win," said Holden, who had three goals and nine assists in 55 games with New York this season. "If that means I'm playing more of a role for them then that's what I'll do. If it means I'm more of a support role, that's what I'll do…I want to win, so I think that's the same as everyone in this room."

The 30-year-old left shot was playing his offside for the Rangers, matched on the team's top pairing with captain Ryan McDonagh. Where - or when - he fits into the lineup with the Bruins is still to be determined.
Now with nine healthy bodies, Boston's back end is fully stacked. Kevan Miller, who has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury, has been ready to rejoin the lineup since last weekend, but has not been able to break back in due to the strong play of Grzelcyk and McQuaid on the Bruins' bottom pairing.
"I don't know when [Holden] will go in, to be honest with you. Could be [Saturday] or Sunday or after that," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, while also leaving open the possibility that Miller returns on Saturday against the Leafs.
"We've liked the seven guys we've used over the last two months. We can't forget about that and I have loyalty to the guys that got us here. That's a conversation that we have again internally.
"We've talked to him about it directly, told him that's the situation. We've generally played the guys that deserve to play this year. Once he's in, it's his job to stay in and that's about it."
Holden has played 356 games over seven NHL seasons for Columbus, Colorado, and New York. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound veteran, who set career highs in goals (11) and points (34) last season with the Rangers, has played in nearly every situation during his career and has been a major contributor on the penalty kill.
"He had [11] goals last year," said Cassidy. "I think he's predominantly a 5-on-5 guy - more PK than power play. But clearly when you score [11] goals you've got some ability. He shoots the puck well. I do remember that from years ago [in the American League].
"I think he could add to the second [power play] unit when you're going with two D - usually it's Charlie [McAvoy] and [Zdeno Chara], it's been Grizz at times. If he's in there he can certainly add to that."

In New York, Holden was playing in a man-on-man system under coach Alain Vigneault, which varies from the zone-type style that Cassidy prefers to employ. It is an adjustment that Holden believes he'll feel more comfortable with as he gets more reps.
"Obviously that was the first practice," said Holden. "I'll know a little more once I play a few games. It's just a little less man-on-man style, more zone and that kind of D-zone. Everything else is similar, just in the way you play the rush and stuff like that…once you get into games you'll know a little more system-wise how it feels."
One adjustment that Holden does not expect to have to make is getting acclimated to Boston. Holden played for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL - then the Blue Jackets' farm team - from 2010-13 and tried to make the 90-minute trek east with his wife, Angela, whenever he could.
"We love the city - and obviously the history of the organization, everybody knows that," said Holden, whose wife and three children will remain in New York. "My ultimate goal is to win, and getting traded, that's putting us in a good spot to try and do that."