Nick Holden signed a three-year, $4.95 million contract extension with the Avalanche on Tuesday, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.

Holden signed a three-year, $4.95 million contract extension with the Avalanche on Tuesday, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

The Avs' decision to commit to Holden until the end of the 2017-18 season flew under the radar on a day in which they added Jarome Iginla and Daniel Briere to the roster, but it illustrates just how pleased the team was with the 27-year-old's performance in his first full NHL season. After serving as a healthy scratch for most of the first half, Holden finished the regular season with 10 goals and potted three more in the playoffs, while also showing improvement defensively down the stretch. He'll be counted on as a mainstay on defense over the next few seasons.