On Saturday morning, head coach Peter Laviolette praised Will Borgen’s impact on the Rangers.
Later on Saturday, The Post confirmed the defenseman had agreed to a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension.
Borgen’s size and physicality have helped the team’s defense improve this month, which has led to their stark season turnaround.
Will Borgen skates during the Rangers’ 1-0 win over the Blue Jackets on Jan. 18, 2025.
The move still allows Braden Schneider to be a key factor, since he can play on both sides.
Sam Carrick got a maintenance day Saturday.
He’s been a key part of an effective fourth line, along with Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe.
Head coach Peter Laviolette praised the line Saturday, saying it played “a simple game,’’ while making smart decisions, playing well on the forecheck and getting the puck to the net.
Their success as a unit has helped keep Jimmy Vesey on the bench.
Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey hasn’t played in a game since. Jan. 11.
Vesey hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 11, and Laviolette was asked Saturday about the possibility of getting him back in the lineup.
“I’ve got a tremendous amount of confidence in Jimmy and the way he plays the game,” Laviolette said of the 31-year-old who is in the third year of his second stint with the Rangers.
After playing 81 and 80 games, respectively, in the previous two seasons — with a combined 51 points — Vesey has appeared in just 26 games and tallied four points this year.
“I understand he’s been here a while,’’ Laviolette said. “He’s a really good two-way player that can defend [and] also contribute offensively.”
But he didn’t sound inclined to change anything with the Rangers in the midst of a 10-game point streak that’s gotten them back in the playoff hunt.
“The lineup now we’ve been going with, we’ve found some success with,” Laviolette said. “That’s the lineup we’ve chosen.’’
Igor Shesterkin has been one of the main reasons why the Rangers have turned their season around, having allowed just one goal in his previous three games.
Laviolette credited the goalie for erasing some of the team’s mistakes.
“There’s always chances and a bad period that can slide in there,’’ Laviolette said. “When your goaltender is on point, it just sweeps it under the rug. Not so much for us [because] we’re trying to get better, but on the scoreboard, it sweeps it under the rug. The goaltending has been terrific.”
The Rangers made a minor trade Saturday, as they acquired forward Lucas Edmonds from Tampa Bay in exchange for Ryder Korczak.
Neither player has appeared in the NHL.
The 23-year-old Edmonds appeared in 26 games with AHL Syracuse this season, notching a goal and four assists, while Korczak, 22, played in 35 games with AHL Hartford with three goals and eight assists.
After scoring just one point in his first six games with the team, Arthur Kaliyev has points in his past two games, with a goal and an assist.
