Brent Burns has lived a full hockey life.
He’s won international tournaments. He’s won the Norris Trophy. He’s been a guest star on one of his favorite television shows. He’s appeared on the cover of a sports magazine in his birthday suit.
He will almost certainly have a plaque in the Great Hall someday at the Hockey Hall of Fame. After nearly 1,500 regular-season games, 135 playoff contests and a half-dozen trips to the NHL All-Star Game, Burns has one more item left on his to-do list.
Get his name on the Stanley Cup.
“I think it’s just there’s a lot of different reasons,” Burns said Thursday when asked why he wants to keep playing beyond his 40th birthday. “The biggest one for me is there’s still something to chase. I’m still super motivated for that. Yeah, there’s one big goal still.”
The Colorado Avalanche hopes to grant Burns that wish. He signed a one-year contract Wednesday night with the Avs. It has a $1 million base salary with up to $3 million in bonuses.
After a quiet start to free agency, outside of extending glue guy Parker Kelly with a four-year deal that doesn’t kick in until the 2026-27 season, the Avs added a player with a loud, decorated resume, but did so on a reasonable, flexible contract.
“He’s going to add a lot on and off the ice,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said. “I think his career speaks for itself. He’s a character, but when it’s game time, practice time — (he’s in) elite shape, takes care of himself and is a committed hockey player.
“I think there’s also, there’s a juice component that he brings everywhere he’s been. He’s a beloved teammate. If you just talk to people and players and GMs that have been around him, this is a special person. So we’re super excited to have him.”
Burns has been one of the best offensive defensemen in the salary cap era. He’s scored 15 or more goals eight times and topped 60 points in six seasons.
In the twilight of his career, he’s earned a reputation for being a top penalty killer as well. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 230 pounds, he adds size to Colorado’s defense corps. Burns is not a big hitter like Josh Manson, but his long reach helps kill plays and he’s plenty sturdy around the net.
“We’re not a team with redwoods on the back end,” MacFarland said. “But we’ve got guys who can defend. (Devon) Toews, Cale (Makar) speak for themselves. … Sam Malinski, Sam Girard are good hockey players. They’re not big, but they’re trusted.
“We did feel if there was an opportunity to add some length, some size, (we would do that).”
Burns became a star with the San Jose Sharks, then spent the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. A workout fanatic, he’s been able to log heavy minutes into his late 30s and still played nearly 23 minutes per game in 15 playoff contests this past season for the Hurricanes.
Where Burns will fit for the Avs is to be determined. If Colorado does not add — or subtract — anyone from the current blue line depth chart, the Avs have four right-handed shooters in their top six available options.
“Training camp will determine that,” MacFarland said. “How (Jared Bednar) wants to mix and match in camp, we’ll see what works and what doesn’t.”
Burns isn’t sure where he’ll play, or what number he will wear. He wore No. 8 in Minnesota, No. 88 in San Jose and went back to No. 8 with Carolina. That number isn’t available in Colorado. Neither is No. 88, and it’s the same guy (Martin Necas) who had it when he arrived in Raleigh. Burns is leaning toward No. 84, but said it’s not set in stone just yet.
It has been 25 years since the Avalanche famously traded for a 40-year-old future Hall of Fame defenseman, and Ray Bourque made his final wish come true with Colorado the following season. Chasing a championship is a big part of why Burns wants to keep playing, but it goes beyond that as well.
“I just love it. I love coming to the rink every day and working,” Burns said. “It really is the best. You’re around guys that are chasing one goal. There’s just something special about it, all the laughs and working hard together. It’s just really special to try to build something together. I just enjoy that process. I love training and all that stuff going together.
“At this point, it’s exciting (and) nervous for me. I just want to come in and join the group and fit in. I want to bring some energy, bring some fun, some experience.”
And he’d like to end the season with a large, silver trophy raised above his head.
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