It hasn't been easy, but Will Borgen has been getting adjusted to his new role with the Rangers.
It has been a wild couple of weeks for Will Borgen. On Dec. 19, Borgen was traded to the Rangers in a deal that included Kaapo Kakko.
Originally set to face the Chicago Blackhawks as a member of the Seattle Kraken, Borgen had to quickly shift his focus after hearing that he was traded.
“We had just gotten into Chicago, just got to the hotel and the general manager called me down and asked to talk with me and told me the news,” Borgen said. “I got on another plane and headed to Dallas. It was a quick turnaround.”
Through this hectic time, the 28-year-old defenseman has taken the time to get adjusted to living in New York as he settles into his new home.
“It’s been a lot, but it’s been good,” Borgen said about getting adjusted to being on a new team. “The guys are good around here. It’s more like the adjustment to the new city, new systems, all of that. So just still kind of working on it all. Getting used to it all, but getting the hang of it quickly.”
Peter Laviolette has wasted no time inserting Borgan into a prominent role.
Over his six games with the Rangers, Borgen has averaged 18:06 minutes while being paired primarily with K’Andre Miller.
Laviolette feels Borgen has added a strong defensive presence to the team as he’s been impressed with his play thus far.
“I feel like he’s adjusted to it. You are playing against other team’s best players, there is something to that,” Laviolette said. “He and K’Andre are both great skaters. I think he’s come in here and has provided some skating, some physicality.”
Borgen is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so his future in New York will all depend on how well the Rangers play over the next couple of months leading up to the trade deadline.
Either the Rangers take a seller’s approach and trade Borgen or keep him in hopes of making a playoff push.
Only time will tell.
