Since the New York Rangers released “The Letter 2.0,” speculation has run rampant about which players are part of the team’s future and which ones may be on the way out. High-profile names such as Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Taylor Raddysh have been widely viewed as potential departures, while cornerstone pieces like Adam Fox, Gabe Perreault, and Igor Shesterkin appear to be the foundation the Rangers intend to build around.
The tougher decisions lie with the players caught in the middle — those who still have multiple years remaining on their contracts but could also fetch a strong return on the trade market. How the Rangers handle this group could ultimately shape the direction of the franchise moving forward.
One player who fits this perfectly is Will Borgen. In 49 games this season, he has recorded three goals and three assists for six points. He also has a 45.20 CF%, a 46.57 SCF%, and a 49.30 HDCF% according to Natural Stat Trick. With him in the first year of a five-year deal worth $4.1 million annually, it’s a very reasonable contract to take on. Because of this, the Rangers would be wise to explore the possibility of moving him.
Why Will Borgen should be moved at this year’s trade deadline
Borgen is the perfect player to have in your defensive core. He is not a flashy player, but he can make a big impact in a team’s lineup. He can play anywhere he’s asked to and will make the same contribution. It doesn’t matter whether he’s on the top pairing or the bottom one. He’s someone who can provide excellent defense and be called upon late in games to hold the lead. He can also be a key piece in a team’s penalty kill.
Moving Borgen will also benefit the Rangers, as it creates more room to play their young players. With them retooling, the goal for the rest of the season is to develop young players and see who could be a part of the next championship core. Guys like Matthew Robertson and Scott Morrow can get regular playing time if Borgen is gone and show whether they are good enough to be long-term pieces for the Rangers. Something that could not be done if veterans like Borgen stay.
There are also not a ton of elite defenseman on the market currently. The best available defenseman was Rasmus Andersson, but he’s off the market after being traded to Vegas. Outside of him, there are not a ton of elite names. Guys like Connor Murphy and Ian Cole are the most likely to be moved, but they are at the same level as Borgen and will be free agents at the end of the season. Teams will value Borgen over them because of how much time is left on his deal. He’s someone they can pencil in for years to come.
He will not land the Rangers a haul like a Panarin or Trocheck will, but he could probably land them a couple of draft picks. Maybe even a young prospect if a bidding war ensues. Several teams should be interested in Borgen if he becomes available. A good landing spot for him would be the Bruins, who are in desperate need of a right-handed defenseman. Borgen can solve that problem for the next few years, and the Bruins will not have to break the bank to get him.
While he will not be a priority, President and General Manager Chris Drury should definitely explore the Borgen trade at the deadline. It will give the Rangers even more assets to help their retool and return to contention.
