Sweeney: Holden Deal Bolsters Back End Depth

EDMONTON, Alberta- The Bruins learned the hard way last spring that a team can never have enough defensemen. Injuries to Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, Adam McQuaid, and Colin Miller left Boston dipping deep into its defense depth during its first-round playoff series with the Ottawa Senators.
As such, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney wants to make sure his troops are well equipped to handle such hardship if they intend to make a deep postseason run this time around.

Sweeney took the first step in that endeavor on Tuesday morning, acquiring veteran blue liner Nick Holden from the New York Rangers in exchange for defense prospect Rob O'Gara and a 2018 third-round pick.
"Well, I think that we've been pretty obvious in the fact that we'd like to improve our left side depth overall," Sweeney said during the Bruins' morning skate at Rogers Place. "Very happy with the players and the way they've played - in particular Matt Grzelcyk, and how he's come up and integrated into our group.
"We were on our 10th defenseman last year when we got into the playoffs, so if we're fortunate enough to get back in there now this year, then I think we needed to address it."

Holden, 30, has three goals and nine assists in 55 games for the Blue Shirts this season. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 214-pound left shot notched career highs with 11 goals and 34 points. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
"He is left side depth for us. He has played power play," said Sweeney. "He played a little more of a shutdown role with [Ryan] McDonagh this year, so again, we're going to incorporate him into our lineup and see where we go, as well as how well the guys are playing here. I think you have to acknowledge the need for the depth in particular."
Sweeney admitted that it was difficult to part ways with O'Gara, a 24-year-old whom the Bruins drafted in the fifth round in 2011. The Massapequa, New York, native suited up for 11 games with Boston over the last two seasons, but spent the majority of his time in Providence, where he tallied 7 goals, 15 assists and a plus-18 rating in 107 games.
"Robbie O'Gara has played games for us, and it's a tough thing for us to do in terms of the prospect side of things," said Sweeney. "I think the world of him as a person, first and foremost, and a player. I wish him luck and the opportunity he will have in New York. So, it's difficult to make these decisions, but again, trying to address the needs of the hockey club where they are today."

The trick now for the Bruins will be finding a place for Holden - expected to join the team in Toronto later this week - in a lineup that has been tough to crack over the last three months. Boston has stalwarts Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug, as well as Grzelcyk, the surprising young rookie, currently slotted in on the left side.
"Where he fits in, I know the questions will come. We don't know yet until he gets here, see what he's got," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Obviously, Chara, Krug, Grzelcyk have played very well for us on that side of the ice. It's a good problem to have as a coach when you have good players. We'll fit them in accordingly when he gets here."
Both Cassidy and Sweeney reiterated their faith in Grzelcyk, who has fit in seamlessly since being recalled from Providence in late November. The 24-year-old Charlestown native has a goal and nine assists in 39 games, while playing mostly alongside McQuaid and Kevan Miller on Boston's third pairing.
"He shouldn't read into it at all. He's playing tonight, that's what he should be worried about. Nobody should be looking over their shoulder," said Sweeney. "I think you've just realize how imperative it is to have to be a deep team. We've said it all along…we want to be a deeper, more talented team, and Grizzy is a big part of that."
Cassidy made sure to chat with Grzelcyk before the morning skate.
"I told him 10 minutes ago, keep playing the way he is playing," Cassidy said during his daily press conference. "Welcome to pro hockey, competition every day…just control your own environment, keep playing well. Our team has expectations, and after going through what we did last year in the playoffs, losing bodies, it helps to have depth. The best players will play, and that's where we left it."

Boston's bench boss, who remembers Holden from his days playing for Springfield in the AHL, is not quite sure yet where the Alberta native will fit best and is prepared for there to be a learning curve to start out.
"It certainly helps coming in to a veteran defense core and a team that is playing well, but I don't know until he gets here," said Cassidy. "We play [the Rangers], we have our pre-scouts, so we have an idea, but until he gets out there and plays, we don't know who is the best D partner for him, as well. There's a lot of unanswered questions.
"What we do know about Nick is he can play in the league. He has proven that, which will make us a better club when he is in the lineup."
Sweeney said he would continue to explore further trade possibilities leading into Monday's 3 p.m. deadline.
"We're going to continue to look at the marketplace and see where guys may fit in and who's available, and continue the calls that happen a lot more frequently this time of the year and see where it goes," said Sweeney. "Our club has played well, but as I said, we've got a long way to go. We've got a tough March in front of us, but we've got February that we've got to deal with.
"We're only concerned about tonight's game…but I'll continue to gauge the marketplace. It's expensive, I can tell you that."