As the NHL Draft looms, the hockey world is abuzz with breaking news, and one intriguing development that might have flown under the radar involves veteran defenseman Brent Burns. The former San Jose Sharks standout has inked a fresh one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, a move that could be pivotal for both player and team.
At 41, Burns was on the brink of entering free agency on July 1, but he and Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's president of hockey operations and general manager, struck an agreement just in time. This strategic signing demonstrates the Avalanche's commitment to bolstering their roster with seasoned talent.
The financial details, as reported by PuckPedia, reveal that Burns' contract includes a base salary of $850,000. The incentives are where things get interesting: he stands to earn a $1.15 million bonus after playing just 10 games. Furthermore, there's an additional $250,000 bonus for hitting the 55, 60, 65, and 70 games played marks, provided he's averaging 23 or more minutes on the ice per game.
For Burns, the 2026-27 season represents more than just another year on the ice. It's a golden opportunity to chase the elusive Stanley Cup, a career-defining achievement that has slipped through his grasp thus far.
Joining the Avalanche, a team with a strong championship pedigree and aspirations, might just be the perfect setting for Burns to finally realize his dream. With Colorado's formidable lineup and Burns' wealth of experience, this partnership could be a match made in hockey heaven.
In Other News...
Sharks Just Made A Telling Decision About Their Blue Line
San Joses blue line is already starting to take shape, and Michael Kesselring is now part of the long-term plan. The Sharks locked up the restricted free agent defenseman on a three-year contract after acquiring him from Buffalo on June 17, a move that brought another young, NHL-tested piece into a defense group that has been in flux all offseason.
The timing matters because the Sharks do not have much certainty behind him. Kesselring, Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson are the only defensemen with notable NHL experience currently signed for next season, while Shakir Mukhamadullin remains unsigned and several others are headed toward free agency or still in contract discussions. For a team still sorting out what its back end should look like, this was a pretty clear signal about which players it wants to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Former Shark Alexander Barabanov Reportedly Has A New Overseas Landing Spot
Alexander Barabanovs next stop overseas appears to be taking shape after his return to the Kontinental Hockey League following his time with the Sharks. After leaving San Jose, the winger signed a two-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan and settled back into familiar KHL territory, giving that club a veteran scorer who could still tilt a lineup with his pace and finishing touch.
Now, after 131 games in Kazan and another productive run in Russia, Barabanov is reportedly on track for a new chapter with a club trying to climb a little higher in the standings. The deal is said to carry a hefty salary and is tied to a future season, a sign that his market remains strong even as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg continues adding pieces in hopes of finally making a deeper playoff push. [Read more 🡒]