The Colorado Avalanche have bolstered their defensive corps by signing veteran defenseman Brent Burns to a one-year contract. The team announced the agreement on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.
Burns, who is 40 years old, brings a wealth of experience and a strong veteran presence to the Avalanche blue line. While the team did not initially disclose the financial terms of the deal, it was later reported that the contract has a base of $1 million with game-played bonuses that could get him another $3 million.
The veteran defenseman spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he played in all 246 regular-season games and 41 playoff games. Last season, Burns recorded six goals and 23 assists in 82 games. Over his NHL career, Burns has accumulated 261 goals and 649 assists in 1497 games. Before joining the Hurricanes, Burns played 11 seasons with the San Jose Sharks and seven with the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him 20th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He captured the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2017 while playing for the Sharks.
Burns has a reputation for durability, having appeared in every possible NHL regular-season game for the last 11 years. He held the longest ironman streak among active players with 925 consecutive games until he missed a game against Ottawa on April 17. His current streak ranks as the fourth-longest in NHL history.
The Avalanche have been active in reshaping their roster in preparation for the 2025-26 season. In addition to signing Burns, they re-signed defenseman Sam Malinski to a one-year deal. The Avalanche have also made trades, including acquiring Ryan Lindgren from the New York Rangers. They also acquired Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.
Burns is known for his offensive capabilities and physical play. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, he uses his size to his advantage on both offense and defense. He has a powerful shot and is skilled at handling the puck and making smart passes. Burns' versatility has allowed him to play forward at times during his career. While his offensive production declined last season, he remains a consistent presence on the ice.
With the addition of Brent Burns, the Colorado Avalanche aim to strengthen their defense and compete for the Stanley Cup in the upcoming season.
