Chris Drury's $20.5 million gamble has paid off thus far for New York Rangers

The New York Rangers shocked their fan base last season when they traded Kaapo Kakko, the 2019 NHL Draft's No. 2 overall pick to the Seattle Kraken in a deal highlighted by Will Borgen, and shocked them again when an extension was given to Borgen after just 17 games in a Blueshirt uniform. The extension at the time was a huge risk, one that this writer wasn't thrilled with, but it is impossible to ignore that Chris Drury's gamble has paid off this far.

Borgen has been one of Rangers' best defenders under Mike Sullivan

The underlying numbers have been very positive for Borgen, and in 18 games he's been a leader on the Blueshirts' back end. Among the seven defenders who have logged time, Borgen ranks first with a 63.16 GF%, and first with a 58.62 xGF%. He's been on the ice for just 1.06 goals against per 60 minutes, and his expected goals against per 60 minutes is just 2.01.

In terms of his percentile ranks, Borgen ranks in the 82nd percentile for defensive ability per Evolving-Hockey, and he is in the 64th percentile overall. He's brought down by being 42nd percentile for offense, but the Rangers didn't sign him primarily for offense. They acquired Borgen for his skating ability, and he's been a great fit since Mike Sullivan took over. It helps that Borgen is a speedy skater, and with a top speed of 83.36 mph, Borgen is in the 87th percentile of skaters per NHL EDGE.

Rangers already missing Borgen

The Rangers have been without Borgen for the last two games because of an injury, and his absence has been notable. He has been primarily paired with Carson Soucy, and Soucy looked overmatched in the Rangers' most recent loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Soucy followed Raymond, wasn't fast enough to keep up and reached out his stick, and then failed to get back into position quick enough to react when he circled the net. This feels like a situation where Borgen would have taken charge, and Raymond's goal ended up being the game winner. There are other reasons to be concerned about Soucy's start, more details can be found in the story below.

Borgen injury reinforces need for better depth

The Rangers are set on the top pair with Adam Fox, and Borgen has been very capable on the right side of the second pair. Behind Borgen sits Braden Schneider, a young defender that the Rangers think highly of. He's struggled to start the season, and right now Scott Morrow is getting a chance. Morrow was acquired in the K'Andre Miller trade over the summer, and he was solid in the American Hockey League last season. If Morrow isn't up to the task, the Rangers don't have any significant options waiting in the wings. That is something the team can address prior to the NHL trade deadline, so I guess one silver lining of Borgen's absence is Morrow getting a chance to prove what he can do.