The Boston Bruins entered this off-season with a big objective: improving the right side of their defense. They have added to their blueline depth this summer, as they acquired Will Borgen from the New York Rangers and brought Connor Clifton back to Boston through free agency. 

Out of this pair, though, it is clear that expectations are higher for Borgen. The Bruins traded their 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick to land Borgen, and they need him to be an answer for one of their long-term issues. 

The Bruins will be expecting Borgen to finally provide them with a solution for the right side of their second pairing. Since they traded Brandon Carlo during the 2024-25 season, the Bruins have had trouble finding a proper replacement for him. Now, they will be hoping that Borgen can be just that. 

When playing at his best, Borgen is a steady defensive defenseman who kills penalties and provides grit. If the 6-foot-3 blueliner can provide Boston's blueline with more stability and be an effective shutdown defenseman for them, it would be huge for the Original Six club. 

It is also important for Borgen to be a fit on the Bruins' roster because of his contract. This is because he is signed through the 2029-30 season, where he carries a $4.1 million cap hit. With that, he is a long-term pickup for the Bruins, and they need him to be a legitimate answer for their top four because of it. 

Borgen appeared in 75 games last season with the New York Rangers, where he recorded five goals, 10 assists, 15 points, 99 blocks, and 111 points.