Out with the old and in with the new. That seems to be the current mantra of the Vancouver Canucks, who are one of the most improved teams in the NHL this season.

The Canucks' decision not to re-sign popular leader Mark Messier this past offseason was lightly criticized, due in large part to the organization's rich crop of young centers. Josh Holden is one of those youngsters people thought might benefit from having Messier around.

Although the 22-year-old pivotman has yet to crack the Canucks line-up this season like fellow phenoms Harold Druken, Matt Cooke and brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Holden has been nothing short of spectacular in his first 22 games for Vancouver's IHL affiliate in Kansas City.

Through December 9, Holden, the 12th overall pick in the 1996 draft, was leading the Blades with 10 goals and was second on the team with 20 points. Over a recent nine-game stretch beginning late in November, Holden picked up six goals and 11 points.

Scoring is something that has always come naturally to Holden. During a stellar four-year career at Regina in the WHL, Holden scored 167 goals in 184 games between 1994-1998.

After closing out his junior career with WHL East Second All-Star Team honors and a spot on the 1998 Canadian Junior National Team, the Calgary native fought off a bout with mononucleosis and played well enough in Syracuse of the AHL the following October to earn his first big-league call-up.

In 30 games as a rookie in 1997-98, Holden tallied two goals and four assists for a rebuilding Vancouver club which finished out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. But despite being only 21 with less than half a season of NHL experience, Holden's stock within the organization was falling due to inconsistent play.

The following year, Holden missed training camp and the first 22 games following hernia surgery. He was dropped further down on Vancouver's depth chart but rebounded with 19 goals and 32 assists in only 45 games for the Crunch, earning a late-season promotion to the parent club for Vancouver?s playoff push.

The Canucks failed to qualify for the postseason again, but Holden tallied a goal and five helpers during his abbreviated, six-game stay to reaffirm his position as one of the most promising young prospects.

Holden is not an overly powerful center but is regarded as an extremely fierce competitor. He has a goal-scorer's ability, and his keen on-ice awareness and superb passing ability make him a dangerous playmaker.

Lack of consistency and confidence are the only deficiencies keeping Holden from Vancouver and the NHL.

Q&A with Josh Holden
Q: You are originally from Calgary. Were you a fan of the Flames as a youngster?
A: We actually moved to St. Albert, which is just outside Edmonton, when my Dad got transferred. I played there when I was little and became a huge Oilers fan as a kid.

Q: Did you have a favorite NHL player?
A: I kind of switched around. Mario Lemieux was just unbelievable. I also loved the way Jeremy Roenick played. He scored and really hit people.

Q: Describe your first NHL shift.
A: Oh man. It was back in '98. I played two games in Syracuse on a Friday and Saturday, then I was called up to Vancouver on Halloween. My first game was against Washington in Vancouver. Messier tapped my pads and led me onto the ice. It was pretty awesome to play with one of my idols. There was a lot of stuff going on in Vancouver when he was there, and he really did his best to calm everything down. All the other guys just watched him and followed his lead.

Q: What is the best locker room prank that you have seen in your career?
A: Last year in Syracuse, we played with this guy named Lubomir Vaic. He was European, and over there, the captain wears a "K" on the jersey. Anyway, he was just a regular player over here. During warm-ups one time, someone taped a "K" on his shirt. He had no idea, and we were all howling. It was pretty funny.

Q: Do you have a favorite TV show?
A: I love those A&E specials. In terms of a show, we all love the game show "Change of Heart." Boyfriends and girlfriends send each other out on blind dates. Then, when they each come back, they report on the date and sometimes leave the boyfriend or girlfriend hanging. Last year in Syracuse, we had practice at 10 in the morning. The show ended at 10, so we would all be dressed and ready for the end of the show at 9:56, then we would jump on the ice.

Q: You have played in both the IHL and the AHL. What is the difference between the two leagues?
A: The AHL is more running around because there are a lot of young guys trying to get called up. There's also a lot more stick work. The IHL is a lot different because the players are more mature, and there is more skill.

Q: What would you do if you were Alex Rodriguez for one day?
A: All the guys on the team have made pacts when we play Powerball that we will buy each other houses if we win. So, I would have to make good on our deals. The money is just mind-boggling, though.

Steve Kournianos and Josh Goldfine write for Sportsticker.