Brent Burns has played all 82 games for the last 11 seasons
Brent Burns is coming to the Colorado Avalanche.
The six-time NHL All-Star and 2017 Norris Trophy winner signed a one-year $1 million contract Wednesday with the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche. Burns could earn $3 million more in games played bonuses. If the Avalanche don’t have the salary cap space to cover that, any overage can be carried over to the 2026-27 cap.
$1M base, games-played bonuses could get him another $3M
Burns is at 925 consecutive games played — 4th-longest all-time and 139 behind Phil Kessel’s record.
Great to see he’s still going https://t.co/fLZSSgTxsb
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 3, 2025
Despite turning 40 earlier this year, Burns finished his 11th straight season having played all 82 games. It’s the fourth-longest consecutive games streak of all-time at 925 games. Phil Kessel holds the record as he played in 1,064 straight contests from November 3, 2009, to April 13, 2023. The production is slowing down for Burns who scored just 29 points in a full 82 game season.
It’s possible that Burns will be placed on the third pairing next to Sam Malinski, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract on Tuesday. Both are right handed, though, which could initiate another move. Of course, the Avs have two-time and reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar and Devon Toews on the first pair. The second pair will likely remain unchanged, with Samuel Girard and Josh Manson joining forces once again.
Canes fans really soured on Burns, who was Slavin’s partner for pretty much the entire past two years. For his faults, though, he should have something left in the tank to give the Avs in a not-top-pair role. pic.twitter.com/TvJyReCKY6
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 3, 2025
For Malinski, it’s a tremendous opportunity for him to learn from one of the sport’s best for at least a season. Burns has still been a solid contributor over the last couple of seasons, albeit his impact may not be as imposing as it once was. However, this version of Burns is still an improvement for the Avalanche from a physicality standpoint on the blue line. The team needed a bruiser and it wouldn’t hurt to pick up another. But on a sad note for Avalanche fans, this was likely the final hurrah for Erik Johnson. The 37-year-old was reacquired by the club late last season, but he will be hitting the free agent market, unless he decides to retire.
It’s been a busy week in the free agent defenseman market overall. After the Avalanche allowed Ryan Lindgren to walk, he signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Seattle Kraken. The New York Rangers also made a splash by inking Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal, while Gavrikov’s former team, the Los Angeles Kings, signed Cody Ceci to a four-year-deal. Going into Wednesday, Burns and former Cane’s teammate Dmitry Orlov were the two hottest defensemen seeking new teams. It is rumored the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in signing him.
Despite his accomplishments, Burns has yet to win a Stanley Cup in a career that has seen him score 262 goals and 910 points in nearly 1,500 games. Perhaps he will have his Ray Bourque moment next season.