It’s time for another round of NHL rumors as we approach the March 7 trade deadline, with general managers eager to make significant changes. While some of these changes may involve trades, others could come in the form of signings. We’ve seen a few transactions already, but more are expected soon, with new acquisitions possibly looking for contracts. This edition focuses on the New York Rangers, who are interested in signing one of those recent additions.
All NHL rumors are sourced and may change.
Analysis: Will Borgen has quickly brought stability to the Rangers’ defensive lineup. Although New York continues to face some challenges on defense, Borgen has proven to be a valuable asset.
The Minnesota native is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $2.7 million annually. There were concerns that Borgen might be traded to a playoff contender if the Rangers continued to struggle in the standings.
Nonetheless, the Rangers appear to have regained their momentum and are optimistic about making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. General Manager Chris Drury seems inclined to keep Borgen around for longer than just this season.
The trade has benefitted both teams; Kakko has shown improvement since joining the Kraken, and both players are thriving in their new environments. However, they will each require new contracts at the season’s end.
What it Means: Drury has considerable work ahead if he hopes to retain Borgen, as he also needs to negotiate new contracts for K’Andre Miller, Will Cuylle, Adam Edstrom, and other young players.
Borgen will become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and his performance could earn him a lucrative deal. Fortunately, Drury has time to secure a new agreement before July 1.
There were earlier speculations about the Rangers potentially trading veterans like Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad to create cap space and emphasize a youth-oriented approach. The Rangers boast a promising group of young talent seen as the franchise’s future.
While a deal involving those veterans may not materialize, trading one or more could allow the Rangers the flexibility to maintain vital young pieces for a retooling phase.
Initially, many assumed the Rangers were out of contention for a playoff spot. However, Borgen’s acquisition and the team’s improved performance may help them turn around a disappointing season.
