Rangers offer Borgen a five-year contract worth $4.1 million.
In a move that caught the attention of the hockey world, the New York Rangers have offered defenseman Will Borgen a five-year contract extension worth $4.1 million. This decision is a pivotal one for the Rangers as they continue to build a roster capable of competing for the Stanley Cup. The contract, while perhaps unexpected by some, has raised questions and curiosity among fans and analysts alike. What does this offer mean for Borgen, for the Rangers’ defense corps, and for the team’s future aspirations? This article will explore the intricacies of the offer, Borgen’s career trajectory, and what this deal means for the Rangers moving forward.
Who is Will Borgen?
Before diving into the contract specifics, it’s important to understand who Will Borgen is and what he brings to the table. Borgen is a 25-year-old defenseman who has spent time with the Buffalo Sabres and has more recently played with the Seattle Kraken. A native of Moorhead, Minnesota, Borgen was drafted by the Sabres in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He spent most of his developmental years in the NCAA, playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth, before transitioning to the professional ranks.
Borgen is known primarily for his defensive play. He’s not an offensive dynamo, but his ability to shut down opposing forwards, block shots, and use his physicality to win puck battles makes him an invaluable asset to his team. While his point totals may not jump off the page, Borgen has consistently demonstrated that he is a reliable, stay-at-home defenseman with the ability to contribute in a shutdown role.
In his time with the Seattle Kraken, Borgen has emerged as a dependable presence on the blue line. He was part of the Kraken’s inaugural season and contributed to the team’s success with his solid defensive play and ability to play a physical, high-intensity game. Borgen’s consistency and ability to log important minutes have made him a valuable piece for the Kraken, and it appears that the Rangers have seen enough potential in him to offer him a long-term contract.
The Contract: What Does $4.1 Million Over Five Years Mean?
The Rangers’ offer of a five-year, $4.1 million contract ($820,000 per year) comes as a bit of a surprise to some, as Borgen’s role has largely been as a depth defenseman with limited offensive output. However, there are a number of factors to consider when evaluating this contract offer, both from the Rangers’ perspective and Borgen’s.
Rangers’ Salary Cap Situation
At the heart of the Rangers’ decision is likely their ongoing need to manage their salary cap space effectively. The NHL salary cap has been a limiting factor for many teams, and the Rangers are no exception. As of 2024, the Rangers have a number of high-profile contracts on the books, including players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Igor Shesterkin, who take up a significant portion of the cap.
With a number of key pieces already committed to large contracts, the Rangers need to find cost-effective ways to round out their roster. Borgen, at a relatively low cap hit of $820,000 per year, represents a solid, cost-effective option for the Rangers as they look to strengthen their blue line without breaking the bank. The Rangers know that adding players like Borgen on affordable contracts can be essential to maintaining financial flexibility while still competing at a high level.
Borgen’s Role on the Rangers’ Blue Line
Borgen’s primary value to the Rangers lies in his defensive game. The Rangers already boast a strong top-four defense with players like Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, and Jacob Trouba, so Borgen’s potential fit is likely as a depth defenseman who can slot into the bottom pair or fill in as a reliable penalty killer when needed. He’s a solid defender who can clear the crease, block shots, and make simple plays out of his own zone. His physicality and ability to use his body to protect the puck make him a valuable asset in tight games.
While Borgen may not contribute a significant amount of offense, his defensive contributions cannot be overlooked. His value will likely come in his ability to shut down opposing forwards, especially in high-pressure situations. The Rangers have a number of highly skilled offensive players, so adding a player like Borgen who focuses primarily on defensive play will help balance the roster and give the team more depth.
This move also indicates that the Rangers are thinking ahead about their defensive depth. With the team’s window to compete for a Stanley Cup potentially being right now, maintaining a solid defense corps is crucial. Borgen’s deal provides the Rangers with a reliable, low-cost option who can contribute to the defensive unit over the next several years.
The Term: A Five-Year Commitment
The length of the contract—five years—also raises some eyebrows. While it’s clear that the Rangers value Borgen’s defensive abilities, committing to a five-year term for a player with a relatively modest offensive output is an unusual move. Typically, defensemen who are offered long-term deals have shown the ability to contribute offensively or play in a larger role on the team.
However, the five-year term could be indicative of the Rangers’ belief in Borgen’s upside and potential. It’s possible that they see him as a player who can develop further into a more reliable shutdown defender, especially under the guidance of their coaching staff. The Rangers might be betting on his growth as a player, with the hope that he becomes a key piece of their bottom pair and penalty kill unit for the foreseeable future.
Why Borgen Could Be a Good Fit for the Rangers
Despite the relatively modest contract offer, Borgen could prove to be a strong fit for the Rangers for several reasons.
- Defensive Depth: As previously mentioned, the Rangers have a number of skilled defensemen at the top of their roster. However, depth is always a crucial aspect of a team’s success, especially when injuries or fatigue set in over the course of a long season. Borgen’s presence on the roster allows the Rangers to rotate defensemen without sacrificing defensive stability.
- Penalties and Physical Play: Borgen is known for his physicality, which could be beneficial for a Rangers team looking to improve its toughness in the defensive zone. He is a player who can log heavy minutes on the penalty kill, something that will be especially important in close, hard-fought games. His ability to clear the crease, block shots, and shut down opposing forwards in front of the net makes him a valuable asset in high-pressure situations.
- Cap Flexibility: The Rangers’ ability to sign Borgen to a relatively affordable contract provides them with financial flexibility. With the salary cap always a concern, finding affordable contracts like Borgen’s will allow the Rangers to focus their resources on upgrading other areas of the roster, such as adding more scoring depth or securing a high-impact player in the coming seasons.
- Leadership and Character: Borgen is known for his strong character and work ethic. Having grown up playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he developed his defensive skills, Borgen brings a level of maturity and leadership to the Rangers’ locker room. His steady presence and commitment to the defensive side of the game could make him a valuable mentor for younger players coming up through the system, helping them adjust to the rigors of the NHL.
What This Means for the Rangers’ Future
The offer to Borgen represents more than just a move for this season—it is a longer-term decision that impacts the Rangers’ future direction. While the team has been built around its star players, the addition of reliable depth players like Borgen shows that the Rangers are taking a balanced approach to roster construction. The contract offer to Borgen could be part of a larger strategy to solidify the team’s defensive depth while maintaining financial flexibility for the future.
In terms of the Rangers’ overall blueprint for the next few seasons, Borgen’s signing helps them to stay competitive without locking up all their cap space in star players. It’s a smart, calculated move to improve the team’s depth without overcommitting to contracts that could hamstring the team’s future flexibility. The Rangers are building a roster that has the potential to make deep playoff runs in the coming years, and having reliable, low-cost options like Borgen allows them to remain flexible and adaptable.
Borgen’s Future and Development
For Borgen, this contract represents a significant opportunity. While he may not have been a household name up until this point, the Rangers’ belief in him as a long-term piece of their defensive corps offers him a chance to solidify his role and grow as a player. With the right coaching and development, Borgen has the potential to become a key member of the Rangers’ defense in the coming seasons.
If Borgen continues to develop his game, he could eventually take on a larger role and contribute even more to the Rangers’ success. The Rangers have a solid track record of developing defensemen, with players like Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren already serving as cornerstones of the blue line. If Borgen can build on his current skill set and refine his game, he could become a key contributor to the Rangers’ Stanley Cup aspirations.
