The New York Rangers have been on a remarkable turnaround, moving from a rocky stretch earlier in the season to securing points in 10 straight games during January. This resurgence has led the team to make a bold move by signing defenseman Will Borgen to a 5-year, $20.5 million extension. While the contract may signal confidence in the team’s ability to stay competitive, questions loom about whether this decision signals a long-term vision or if it’s a risky overcommitment at the wrong time.
The Rangers’ commitment to Borgen comes after a period of uncertainty. With the team struggling badly, there was chatter about breaking up the current roster and starting fresh. However, the team’s improved play, particularly on defense, seems to have shifted the organization’s mindset. Signing Borgen, who has helped stabilize the back end, shows that the front office, led by Chris Drury, is committed to pushing forward with the current group rather than selling assets ahead of the trade deadline. This decision signals that the Rangers are not looking to rebuild just yet.
There are certainly mixed feelings surrounding Borgen’s extension. On the positive side, his play has contributed significantly to improving a defense that had been a major concern for the team. For a player of his role, the contract is seen as somewhat justified, even if it might be slightly above market value. Critics, however, argue that committing five years to a player with just 17 games in a Rangers uniform could be premature. The length of the contract and the sizable investment raise questions about whether Borgen has proven enough to justify such a commitment.
Another critique centers on the larger team strategy. The Rangers’ current roster still faces questions about its ability to contend for a championship this season. Signing long-term deals with players who are nearing their late twenties and have yet to prove themselves as part of a championship-caliber team may not align with a prudent long-term strategy. There are concerns that this move might indicate a reluctance to fully embrace a rebuild, especially when the team is far from being a contender at this moment.
Ultimately, the Borgen extension illustrates Chris Drury’s approach to the upcoming trade deadline: staying the course. Instead of pivoting toward a rebuild, the Rangers will continue to bolster their roster with the intention of staying competitive. Whether or not this will pay off remains to be seen, but for now, the decision seems to signal a commitment to the present, even if it’s not entirely clear how it will fit into the Rangers’ future plans. The trade deadline will certainly be an interesting period to see how Drury navigates the delicate balance between pushing for success this season and building for the future.
