The Boston Bruins just made a bold move that splits the fan base right down the middle. They sent goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers and brought back defenseman Will Borgen. This deal clears salary but adds a new, expensive contract to the books. According to Stanley Cup of Chowder, the Bruins gave up a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028. The condition flips if Boston reaches the conference final and Borgen plays enough games.
A Cap Trap for the Defense
This trade feels like a trap for the salary cap. The Bruins traded Korpisalo to remove $3 million from their books. But they immediately replaced that savings with Borgen’s $4.1 million deal. Per Stanley Cup of Chowder, Borgen is signed through 2030. That is a long time to lock in a player who might not fit the top two lines. The team now has less room to sign free agents or fix other holes.
Some fans might like the defensive upgrade, but the math does not add up. The Bruins already have Henri Jokiharju, Jordan Harris, and Connor Clifton signed for the season. Adding Borgen creates a logjam on the blue line. He averaged 15:33 time on ice last season. That is solid, but is it worth tying up cash for years?
A Reclamation Project?
Borgen is a right-shot defenseman who played for the Sabres and Kraken before this. He was a fourth-round pick back in 2015. Per Stanley Cup of Chowder, he could be a worthy reclamation project after a tough year in New York. Rangers fans seem happy to dump his contract, which suggests they see his value differently than Boston does.
The Bruins are betting he can play better than he did for the Rangers. He might take the spot of Andrew Peeke on the roster. But the risk is high. If Borgen struggles again, the team is stuck with a $4.1 million hit and no easy way out. The trade of Korpisalo was smart because it freed up space. This second move undoes that good work.
It is hard to see how this helps the team win a Cup right now. The roster is crowded, and the cap is tight. The front office seems to be trading assets for players who are already signed elsewhere. This looks like a move that creates problems instead of solving them. The fan base should be worried about the long-term cost.
Do you think Will Borgen is worth the extra salary, or did the Bruins mess up the math? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
