Kraken D-Man Will Borgen’s Name “Out There” on Trade Market

As a six-year veteran defenseman who has been a regular contributor to the Seattle Kraken's blueline the past few years, Will Borgen is in the final year of his contract and about to become an unrestricted free agent. But his ice time is on the decline this season under new Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma, and it seems like he's falling out of favor.

For hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, speaking on The Fan Hockey Show podcast, that all makes Borgen a trade candidate. And there have been some inquiries.

It's clear that he's not a favourite of the new coach. Borgen is a guy that teams have poked around on periodically. He's not a sexy name, but he is a solid player.

Notably, said Friedman, the fact that he's an impending UFA should make Borgen eminently available.

"When a player is in the last year of his deal, and he's not playing a lot... I think in a lot of cases, the right thing for a team to do... I think teams almost have a responsibility to try to get that player somewhere else. He's not going to sign an eight-year x $8 million contract, but it does affect his ability to go out there and get the best deal for himself (on the free agent market)."

Borgen's ice time is down by nearly 2 1/2 minutes this season, to just a shade over 15:00. He has two points and a plus/minus rating of -11 in 31 games. He played in all 82 games in each of the previous two seasons in Seattle.

"I've kind of heard his name out there a little bit, and I know there's some teams out there that like him."