Will Borgen proven to be more valuable to the New York Rangers following Kaapo Kakko trade
The New York Rangers acquired Will Borgen in a trade that sent Kaapo Kakko to Seattle on December 18th. Since then he's added an element that's been missing in the lineup, toughness.
Typically that trait was one you'd find in defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and Jacob Trouba. But with Trouba gone, and Lindgren underperforming, no one knew what to expect out of Will Borgen.
Since then he's turned heads with his defensive capabilities on the blueline.
Teammate K'Andre Miller offered an insight into what he offers the team, and what he thinks of his fellow Minnesota-born blue liner.
«He's been great,» Miller said. «He's a great guy outside of the rink, hanging out with the guys, playing cards. Obviously, Minnesota boy, so [I] got to know him a little bit better through those connections. He's been great for our team. Doing all the little things, being hard to play against in our D-zone, getting shots through in the O-zone.
Borgen can play both sides of the puck but is also disruptive to offenses who crash the net.
«Really just being hard to play against. Doing a good job of playing a 200-foot game and being reliable. He's been great so far.»
The Minnesota-born duo have turned things around for the Rangers, as Natural Stat Trick tracked them. They have been on the ice for eight goals for, and only six against in their short time together.
In 128:35 of ice time so far, according to Natural Stat Trick, Borgen and K'Andre Miller have been on for eight Rangers goals and six against. They've owned a goals-for percentage of 57.14 while out-chancing opponents 65-56.
Borgen is in year two of a deal that expires at the end of the season, a pending UFA that could draw some suitors.
His play has stepped up with the Rangers and GM Chris Drury can make a decision whether to extend the blue liner or trade him for assets for a re-tool which we could see take place soon.
Borgen's talent comes at an affordable $2.7 Million AAV and is easily moveable for teams with cap space.
This season he's played 44 games split between the Kraken and Rangers, and scored 4 points ( 2 G, 2 A ) with 13 PIMs.
Should the New York Rangers keep or trade Will Borgen?
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5 HOURS AGO | 47 ANSWERS Will Borgen proven to be more valuable to the New York Rangers following Kaapo Kakko trade If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers would you keep or trade defenseman Will Borgen? |
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Previously on NYRangersInsider
