Rangers Will Borgen quickly adding valuable toughness after Kaapo Kakko trade

DENVER — Will Borgen has been a solid fit in the Rangers defense corps since coming to New York in the Kaapo Kakko trade on Dec.18. Changing teams midseason for the first time in his six-year NHL career, the 28-year-old blueliner didn’t have the luxury of training camp or preseason games to learn the new system, but it has not appeared to hinder him at all on the ice. “I think I got used to everything, used to the systems more now and now it’s kind of ingrained in me of what to do so I don’t have to think too much out there,” Borgen told The Post of how he’s settled in through 11 games Monday after practice.

“It’s been good, the team’s been playing well, so it makes it easy for me.” Borgen brings a tough presence to the Rangers’ back end on both sides of the puck.Not only can he put pucks on net, the 6-foot-3, 204-pounder has effectively disrupted the middle of the Blueshirts defensive zone, which had been a free-for-all prior to his arrival. In 128:35 of ice time so far, according to Natural Stat Trick, Borgen and K’Andre Miller have been on for eight Rangers goals and six against.

They’ve owned a goals-for percentage of 57.14 while out-chancing opponents 65-56. Borgen, who thus far has one goal and one assist with the Rangers, also has blocked 20 shots and landed 19 hits. “He’s been great,” Miller said.“He’s a great guy outside of the rink, hanging out with the guys, playing cards.

Obviously, Minnesota boy, so [I] got to know him a little bit better through those connections.He’s been great for our team.

Doing all the little things, being hard to play against in our D-zone, getting shots through in the O-zone. “Really just being hard to play against.Doing a good job of playing a 200-foot game and being reliable.

He’s been great so far.” Regarding Brett Berard’s demotion to AHL Hartford, head coach Peter Laviolette said he thought the 22-year-old rookie’s first NHL stint went well. “I think it’s al...