The trade writing had been on the wall between prior talks involving the winger, the scratch, the low time on ice, and the overall need for change plaguing the Rangers. They had to do something more than trading captain Jacob Trouba, and it seems like Drury wants to go in a new direction with the core.
It’s just that this trade doesn’t significantly improve New York’s roster. The Rangers need sturdy defense. Borgen’s got a goal and an assist on the season, and his on-ice goal differential has been a whopping -19 despite a reduction in minutes this year.
He’s been a decent enough bottom-pairing defenseman in years past, plus this is a low-risk acquisition considering his contract expires at the end of the season. It’s not the end of the world for the Rangers, but it doesn’t exactly turn their season around — and they’re officially throwing in the towel on Kakko’s potential.