Former Norris Trophy Winner Brent Burns Signs New NHL Contract
Brent Burns was one of the top remaining free agent defenseman still available today, but that has now changed as the former Shark and Hurricanes blueliner has signed a new contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche remain contenders for the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference.
As long as Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar remain on the team, that fact will not change.
As a contender though, the organization has had to make some tough decisions, including letting one of their top defenseman walk in free agency.
Like every contender, the Avalanche are in a tough spot regarding the NHL's salary cap.
This may be why the team just signed 40-year-old Brent Burns to a one-year deal.
The team has not released the details of the contract yet, but it is very likely to come in at or around league minimum.
Burns did show signs of decline this year, scoring just 6 goals and 29 points in 82 games, his lowest totals over the course of a full season since the 2006-7 season where he had 25 points in 77 games.
That being said, there is still some offensive upside there, and on a deep Avalanche team, he could be put in a more comfortable bottom pair role where he can be protected from tough matchups.
It is often worth the risk to take a chance on a player like Burns, and clearly the Avalanche feel like he can still contribute on a championship-caliber team.
Even if this deal doesn't work out, the Avs should be able to trade him rather easily, or perhaps even bury his contract in the AHL so there isn't much risk associated with this move.
Will Burns finally win a Stanley Cup in his 22nd year of NHL action?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 2|339 ANSWERS Former Norris Trophy Winner Brent Burns Signs New NHL Contract Do you think the Colorado Avalanche have a good chance to win the Stanley Cup next season? | ||
| Yes | 125 | 36.9 % |
| No | 158 | 46.6 % |
| Unsure | 45 | 13.3 % |
| No opinion | 11 | 3.2 % |
| List of polls | ||