The Colorado Avalanche officially signed veteran defenseman Brent Burns to a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2025–26 season on July 2.
The move will see the Avs add one of hockey’s most colorful personalities and most durable players to their blue line as they try to launch another push toward Stanley Cup contention next season.
Burns, 40, played all 82 games last season for Carolina, logging nearly 21 minutes a night while contributing 29 points and helping the Hurricanes reach the second round of the playoffs.
The veteran, who was drafted with the No. 20 pick in the 2003 draft, is entering his 22nd season in the NHL, and has appeared in all 82 regular-season games in all of the last four seasons.
Burns' résumé includes 910 points through 1,497 regular-season games, a Norris Trophy award as the best defenseman in the league, and six All-Star appearances.
The Avalanche, who needed depth on defense, are betting on Burns as a bottom-pairing option and a veteran locker room presence.
The reaction to the news of Burns' signing on Reddit was instant and definitely chaotic.
"Where the actual (expletive) did this signing come from lmfaoooo," one fan posted.
"God this was out of nowhere lol," another account echoed.
"Burns looks very confused in the picture... wait, I’m Brent Burns and I don’t remember that," another person joked.
New Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns warms up before a Carolina Hurricanes game.
Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
"This man is always a Shark to me," one nostalgic user wrote, referencing Burns' best years in San Jose.
"Legend of the locker room and hopefully will be the same for the Avs," a Hurricanes fan posted.
"He’s on a 911 Ironman streak at 40. Absolute unit," another user noted.
"Fitting he goes to Colorado when he looks like a sasquatch," another joked.
"A defenseman that has long waited to have his name on the Cup joining the Avs? That’s Joe Sakic’s music," another person said about the Avs GM landing Burns.
