As the Rangers enter this retool, we “know” that the two biggest trade chips are Braden Schneider and Vincent Trocheck. Those aren’t the only two names on the block, but they are the ones that will likely return the biggest value. In addition to some depth players like Taylor Raddysh who are likely on the move, the Rangers should trade Will Borgen while they still have the chance, simply just to get out of that contract.
Borgen is what he is at this point
Borgen hasn’t necessarily been awful, he’s just been inconsistent. It’s actually a fine argument that if he were making less than his current $4.1 million, for four more years, then he’d be a fine depth defenseman. The problem, of course, is that he does make that money and he’s very quickly moving down the depth chart as kids start to graduate to the NHL and the Rangers begin to revamp the blue line.
Borgen’s metrics this year weren’t terrible. He had a solid start to the year before he and the rest of the team fell off a cliff. Judging Borgen on one year would be folly, so that’s why it’s important to remember that Borgen had never been more than what he is right now with the Rangers: A third pairing defenseman that is perhaps playing up in the lineup.
Borgen isn’t dead weight, mind you. He’s a solid skater and his microstats–courtesy of the manual tracking done over at All Three Zones–he’s actually pretty good at generating offensive chances. The problem is, as per usual, he’s been miscast as a defensive defenseman when it’s clear he’s not overly great on the defensive side of things. He can make a solid first pass and help transition to offense. Combined with his skating, Borgen does have a nice little niche cut out for him.
Borgen isn’t a scrub. He’s a pretty useful depth defenseman. He’s just not someone you pay $4.1 million for the next four seasons. That’s the main issue right now and the driver in why the Rangers should trade Will Borgen if they get the chance. He has a nice little niche, but there will be better defensemen coming through the pipe, especially if the Rangers don’t win the draft lottery.
The Rangers should trade Will Borgen, but only if certain events happen
This isn’t an article about why the Rangers should trade Will Borgen no matter what, it’s about why the Rangers should trade Will Borgen if certain things happen. We’ve already established that he’s not comfortable playing on the left side, which limits some flexibility. That may not be a concern yet, but could be if one of Matthew Robertson or Drew Fortescue falter.
Assuming the Rangers draft somewhere in the 3-5 range, they could wind up with Chase Reid, the premier RD in the 2026 NHL Draft. He’s considered NHL ready and would give the Rangers the immediate boost they need on the right side. Assuming Adam Fox doesn’t request a trade, then the Rangers would be looking a potential RD trio of Fox, Reid, and Scott Morrow.
If the goal is to get younger and faster, then the Rangers should trade Will Borgen and recoup some assets. In this scenario, with the Rangers going Fox-Reid-Morrow on the right side, Borgen becomes a very expensive luxury. You can’t keep everyone, and Fox would be the better mentor and/or teacher for both Reid and Morrow, given their similar skill sets.
This scenario also depends on trade return. He shouldn’t be dumped for nothing, but if the Rangers are able to shed the contract, but the Rangers should trade Will Borgen if he brings in a solid asset, even if that asset is a pick or two. At some point, the Rangers need to let the kids play and stay true to their word. Borgen will be 30 next season, and is far from a must keep.