OTP - Who Will Fill The Sabres Top-Six Hole? Former Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/] defenseman Will Borgen was traded by the Seattle Kraken to the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/]on Dec. 18 as a part of the Kaapo Kakko trade [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/insider-suggests-fascinating-sabres-rangers-trade]. While he has just been moved, the right-shot defenseman is right back to creating chatter in the rumor mill. In a recent article for The Athletic [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6018520/2024/12/27/nhl-trade-board-matchmaker-granlund-ristolainen-hall-borgen-tanev/], NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston named Borgen as a top trade target. In addition, they each predicted where Borgen could end up being dealt if the Rangers don't turn their season around. LeBrun sees the Florida Panthers as a fit for Borgen, while Johnston listed the Vancouver Canucks as a potential landing spot for the former Sabre. Will Borgen [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMzcwOTQ2Mzk5ODM5Mzkx/usatsi_11359169.jpg] Will Borgen It would not be surprising in the slightest if the Panthers target a right-shot defenseman like Borgen at the deadline. He would be a nice fit on their bottom pairing and would fit into their hard-nosed identity. Florida also only has two right-shot defensemen on their NHL roster, and Adam Boqvist is not a regular in their lineup. Thus, they could use a righty like Borgen. However, the same can be said about the Canucks as a possible suitor. Off-season signing Vincent Desharnais has struggled in Vancouver and has already been made available for trade. Thus, the Canucks could use another right-shot defender, and Borgen could be one of the top bottom-pairing options available. It will be interesting to see if the former Sabre gets flipped again before the deadline passes.
