Brent Burns signs surprising deal with serious contender!

Late on Wednesday evening, the Colorado Avalanche announced that they have signed veteran defenseman Brent Burns to a one-year contract.

Burns entered the market as a free agent on Tuesday and very little information had been reported on where he may sign.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the deal is $1M base, along with games-played bonuses could get him another $3M.

The 40-year-old had six goals and 23 assists in 82 games for the Hurricanes this season and five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 playoff contests.

Burns has not missed a game the past 11 seasons; his streak of 925 consecutive games played is fourth in NHL history.

Selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2003 NHL Draft, Burns has 910 points (261 goals, 649 assists) in 1,497 regular-season games for the Wild, San Jose Sharks and Hurricanes and 80 points (24 goals, 56 assists) in 135 playoff games.

He is not hanging up the skates. Instead, he will be competing with a serious contender in Denver for 2025-26, and perhaps get a chance at that elusive Stanley Cup championship before he ponders retirement.

This will be Burns' 22nd NHL season.

Most hockey fans and insiders out there are loving this deal for Burns and for the Avalanche.