Avalanche sign former Norris winner who’s played in 925 straight games

The Colorado Avalanche signed veteran defenseman Brent Burns on Wednesday night in one of their first big moves of free agency.

Burns, 40, won the Norris Trophy with the San Jose Sharks during the 2016-17 season and has played in a ridiculous 925 straight games. It’s the fourth-longest “Iron Man” streak in NHL history.

We have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Brent Burns. pic.twitter.com/UNtkSPSmFq

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 3, 2025

Burns played the first seven years of his career with the Minnesota Wild, dating all the way back to the 2003-2004 season. He then spent 11 years with the Sharks before skating with the Carolina Hurricanes each of the last three seasons.

In 1,479 career games Burns has 261 goals and 649 assists, good for 910 points. Last year in Carolina he played in all 82 games for the 10th time in his professional tenure. As mentioned, he just can’t be taken off the ice. He’s played in every possible game for 11 straight seasons (with a couple shortened COVID years mixed in).

With the Hurricanes during the 2024-25 campaign, Burns had six goals and 23 assists and averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time per night. He has 80 points in the playoffs over 135 career postseason games.

And although Burns has come close to hockey’s ultimate prize, he’s never hoisted the Stanley Cup. That has to be his thinking signing this deal with the Avalanche, chasing a ring before his time in the NHL is done.

We’ll see where head coach Jared Bednar ultimately slots Burns in on defense, but Colorado currently has Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, Josh Manson and Sam Malinski under contract.

This deal won’t be one that breaks the bank, as it’s reportedly worth $1 million in base salary for Burns and he could earn up to $3 million more in bonuses.

The Avalanche hope Burns has enough left in the tank, while he goes after an elusive championship.

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