Borgen joined the Kraken during their inaugural season as a selection in the 2021 Expansion Draft. Over three seasons, he carved out a consistent role on the blue line, setting a career high in points last year with 25. However, this season has been a far cry from that performance. His ice time has dipped by nearly two and a half minutes per game, and through 32 games, he has managed just two points (one goal, one assist).
"Seattle’s Will Borgen is being scouted as a potential depth add. Down 2:29 per game, a free-agent-to-be."
— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) December 17, 2024
We've discussed a potential Borgen trade recently. He's been outplayed by Mahura, and could be a valuable depth piece for a contender. #SEAKraken https://t.co/Jd8AcMAVr5
The real concern lies in his defensive struggles. Borgen's on-ice goal differential this season is an alarming -19. Advanced analytics paint an even grimmer picture: his defensive metrics rank in the bottom percentile among NHL blueliners. In fact, 99.7% of all players in the league have outperformed him defensively this season.
Why would teams be interested?
Despite these struggles, Borgen could still draw interest from teams looking to add veteran depth to their defense. His first three seasons in Seattle showed he can be a reliable bottom-pairing option, and a change of scenery might help him rediscover his game. With his contract set to expire after this season, Borgen is a low-risk acquisition for teams seeking to bolster their blue line or shake up their defensive pairings.
What could the Kraken expect in return?
Given Borgen's diminished production and pending free agency, Seattle's return in a trade would likely be modest—think a mid-to-late round draft pick or a fringe prospect. With limited cap space and an internal pool of defensive depth, the Kraken have little incentive to retain Borgen long-term. Moving his $2.7 million cap hit would free up room for younger, cheaper players like Josh Mahura or Cale Fleury to step into regular roles.
Addition by subtraction?
Trading Borgen wouldn’t signal the Kraken becoming "sellers" but rather a pragmatic decision to offload a player who no longer fits. Head coach Dan Bylsma’s system has not complemented Borgen’s style, and his struggles suggest a parting of ways is inevitable. Offloading his contract while gaining any return could be viewed as a win for Seattle, especially in a season where every cap dollar matters.
If a team sees Borgen as a reclamation project or a depth addition, the Kraken should capitalize on that interest. Moving on from Borgen might just be the reset both sides need to move forward.