Newest Rangers defenseman has ‘mixed emotions’ after trade from Kraken
It was a hectic two days for Will Borgen, when he found out that he’d be beginning a new chapter in his NHL career with the New York Rangers.
The 28-year-old defenseman was traded along with third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Rangers for forward Kaapo Kakko on Wednesday. Borgen was in Chicago, where the Kraken are to play the Blackhawks on Thursday, when he was informed about the trade.
He had never been traded before. Originally a Buffalo Sabres draft pick, Borgen was selected by the Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and had played for them since.
“It was a mix of emotions. I was in Seattle from the beginning there. Had a lot of fun there. But I’m excited to be here. Original Six team, New York City,” Borgen told reporters after his first practice with the Rangers on Thursday.
Borgen packed immediately, took a flight to Dallas, and joined the Rangers on the ice Thursday — coincidentally, his birthday.
“There’s never a good time for this. And today’s his birthday, so you’re wishing him a happy birthday and a Merry Christmas and you’re telling him he’s been traded,” Kraken general manager Ron Francis said on a Zoom call with reporters.
However, Borgen seemed upbeat about the opportunity, especially after dropping to the third defense pair in Seattle this season and averaging 15:12 TOI, more than two minutes less than in 2023-24. Though his numbers on offense (one goal, one assist after 25 points last season) and defensive metrics (0.41 xGF, per Natural Stat Trick) are way down, Borgen remains confident in what he’ll bring to his new team.
“I think I’m a pretty good skating defenseman. I can skate with most guys, and I’m physical,” he said. I play with a little bit of an edge and try to bring that every night. I try to get some energy for the group.”
Related: Kaapo Kakko was in sauna when Rangers traded him to Kraken
Will Borgen could bring immediate benefits to Rangers, NHL insider believes
Though trading Jacob Trouba and Kakko in the same month shook up the Rangers dressing room a bit, they could have a spark ignite with Borgen joining the team.
This is something that NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes could happen. Going on the Daily Faceoff LIVE show, he provided his reasoning as to why Borgen will improve the Rangers despite not being one of the biggest names on the market.
“He’s not a sexy or flashy player, he’s not going to wow you with any one part of his game,” Seravalli said.
“But he’s reliable, he’s got some size, he’s got better-than-average feet, and I think he’s a guy who can help quiet down the noise in the Rangers own end, which is exactly what they needed at this exact moment in time.”
And stability is what the free-falling Rangers (15-15-1) are looking for. They’ve lost 11 of their past 14 games and tumbled down the standings in the Eastern Conference, where they currently reside in 10th place.
Borgen is expected to make his Rangers debut Friday when they visit the Dallas Stars and attempt to end a three-game losing streak.
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