Brent Burns has been traded!

Earlier on Wednesday moments before the opening of free agency, insider Pierre LeBrun reported that the Carolina Hurricanes were close to acquiring Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks. The Canes weren’t however on Burns’ trade list and needed the defenseman’s approval to complete the deal.
It is now done:

The transaction is: Burns and Lane Pederson for Steven Lorentz, goalie prospect Eetu Makiniemi and a conditional 2023 3rd-round pick. Sharks are retaining 33 percent of Burns contract.

The 37-year-old veteran blue liner has three years remaining on the eight-year, $64 million contract he signed to stay with the Sharks back in November of 2016.

Burns turned in 10 goals and 44 assists in 82 games last season. He began his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild but has spent the past 11 seasons of his career with the Sharks.

The Hurricanes’ interest in Burns intensified when they traded defenseman Tony DeAngelo to the Philadelphia Flyers last week.

More to come.