There was some good news out of Ottawa last week when the Senators announced the team had signed Nick Holden to a one-year contract extension. The contract has a value of $1.3 million for the 2022-23 season.
Holden, a 34-year-old St. Albert native, is in the middle of his first season with the Sens. He started his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008, before making the rounds subsequently with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and the Vegas Golden Knights before lacing up in the nation’s capital.
The 6’4”, 210-pound defenceman has 46 career goals and 101 assists in 543 games throughout his career. This season, he has one goal and three assists while playing in 30 of the Senators’ 36 regular games. He is enjoying a career-high 3:14 shorthanded time-on-ice per-game average, which places him at sixth in the league while his 19:22 time-on-ice per game average represents his highest total since the 2014-15 season. He has proven to be a key player in the team's penalty kills.
"Nick has seamlessly integrated himself into our lineup and into our dressing room," said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion in a press release. "His veteran presence and leadership qualities have been instrumental in helping our young group this season, while his strong defensive play and accountability on the ice has really helped with the maturity of our young defensive core."
"Right from the get-go I've felt very welcomed," said Holden. "Personally, with my game, I've felt as though I fit in really well. You've got to make sure you're secure. Me and my family have really enjoyed being here, playing here, living here, so it was an easy decision."
Team captain Brady Tkachuk is also pleased with the development.
"He's been awesome," Tkachuk stated. "He's full of life every single day. He's such a great person to have around the rink. He's got a ton of energy. He makes everybody happy. We're super happy to have him back."
