NHL News

Canucks Could Outbid Rivals for Rangers D-Man in Trade Chase

Chris Johnston of The Athletic believes Will Borgen will attract trade interest and the Canucks might be willing to outbid others for him.

by
Jim Parsons
December 27, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks might have their eyes on New York Rangers defenseman Will Borgen as a potential trade target ahead of the 2025 NHL deadline. With Filip Hronek sidelined by a lower-body injury and not expected back until February, the Canucks are trying to fill a huge hole on the right side of their defense. Meanwhile, the Rangers are crumbling and might become sellers. Borgen was just acquired, but for the right price, could be flipped.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Vancouver’s front office has been aggressively pursuing blue-line help, and Borgen’s skill set makes him a logical fit. The 26-year-old is known for his strong defensive play, particularly in penalty-killing situations, an area where the Canucks could use reinforcements. Johnston writes, “Borgen will have plenty of suitors ahead of the deadline, but there may not be anyone more motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.”

The Rangers Will Likely Ask for A Solid Return in a Borgen Trade

Borgen’s combination of size, skating ability, and physical presence has made him a popular name on the trade market. The Rangers aren’t keen to move him, with reports they’d had their eyes on him for a while when the team traded Kaapo Kakko to acquire him. He’s a reliable stay-at-home defenseman capable of logging second-pairing minutes, and those kinds of players won’t come cheap.

Will Borgen trade talk Canucks — Will Borgen was matched by an insider in a trade fit for Canucks

Borgen is expected to draw interest from multiple contenders, writes Johnston. But the Canucks are motivated. Given their pressing need and aggressive approach, Vancouver could outbid other teams to secure the dependable blueliner.

It is not expected a huge name would be part of the deal, but there is drama in Vancouver where J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson can’t get along, and Brock Boeser is having a hard time coming to terms on an extension. One has to wonder if there’s the potential for a blockbuster here.

Adding Borgen wouldn’t just patch up the defense in Hronek’s absence—it would also provide playoff-tested depth for the postseason.

Next: Insider Links Flyers and Jets in Fit for Nearly-Untradeable D-Man