Brent Burns Joins Colorado Avalanche: Contract & Reaction

Veteran defenseman Brent Burns has signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced on Wednesday. The 40-year-old, a 2017 Norris Trophy winner, will join the Avalanche for the 2025-26 season.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Gino Hard reported the contract is worth up to $4 million with bonuses, consisting of a $1 million base salary and up to $3 million in games-played bonuses. Burns was an unrestricted free agent after completing his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Last season, Burns recorded 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 82 games for the Hurricanes, averaging 20:57 of ice time per game. He also added five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games. According to NHL.com, he ranked second among Hurricanes defensemen in assists and points during the 2024-25 regular season.

Experienced Veteran Joins Stanley Cup Contender

Burns expressed his excitement about joining the Avalanche, stating, “It’s obviously a special group. I think at this point it’s exciting. Nervous for me. I just want to come in and join the group, to fit in, and I think my experience and time at the rink, I just want to bring some energy, bring some fun, some experience.” He added that he sees the opportunity as a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup.

“I love coming to the rink every day and working,” Burns said. “It really is the best. I think you’re around guys that are chasing one goal, and there’s just something special about it, all the laughs and the working hard together. It’s just really special to try to build something together, and I just enjoy that process.”

The defenseman has played 925 consecutive games, the fourth-longest “Iron Man” streak in NHL history. He is 139 games behind Phil Kessel’s record of 1,064 consecutive games played. Burns has accumulated 910 points (261 goals, 649 assists) over 1,497 career regular-season games with the Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, and Minnesota Wild.

A Decorated Career

Burns has had six campaigns with 60-plus points, surpassing 70 points three times, and achieving a career-high 83 points in the 2018-19 season with the San Jose Sharks. He has also recorded three 20-goal seasons. He led NHL defensemen in points in 2016-17 and 2018-19, in assists in 2018-19, and in goals in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

The 6-foot-5, 228-pound defenseman won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2016-17 after collecting 76 points and averaging 24:52 of ice time per game. He led all defensemen in goals and points that season and finished fourth in Hart Memorial Trophy voting.

Burns was born in Barrie, Ontario. He began his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild in 2003 before spending 11 seasons with the San Jose Sharks and the last three with the Carolina Hurricanes.