Will Borgen put up 15 points in 75 games in his first full season with the Rangers. Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
The New York Rangers traded defenseman Will Borgen to the Boston Bruins for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick.
The Borgen deal came after the Rangers acquired the Vancouver Canucks’ Marcus Pettersson for a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
What this means for the Rangers
After acquiring Sean Durzi in the Vincent Trocheck trade, New York had a glut of right-shot defensemen. That prompted another move: trading Borgen for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 conditional third-round pick. The 2028 pick becomes a second if the Bruins make it to the conference final each of the next two years with Borgen playing at least 50 percent of the team’s playoff games that season.
With Borgen gone, the Rangers will have Adam Fox, Durzi and Braden Schneider on the right side, then Vladislav Gavrikov, Marcus Pettersson and Matthew Robertson on the left. Alberts Šmits, the No. 5 pick in June’s draft, could also push for playing time on the left side.
Borgen, a defensive defenseman, was initially acquired in a package for Kaapo Kakko. He finished his Rangers career with 28 points in 126 games.
What this means for the Bruins
The Bruins have been intent on improving the right side of their defense. Borgen adds to their options. The 29-year-old could be on the No. 2 pair as a defensive defenseman behind Charlie McAvoy and ahead of Connor Clifton. Andrew Peeke is unlikely to be re-signed.
The Bruins were hopeful of adding a right-shot defenseman with greater two-way impact. If they do not make any additional moves on the back end, it appears they will operate by committee.
Jul 1, 2026
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