Today the San Jose Sharks signed Brent Burns to an eight-year contract extension worth a reported $8 million per year. The deal keeps him in teal until the end of the 2024-25 season when Burns turns 40.
Burns was arguably the biggest upcoming free agent of 2017. Had he not been signed he could possibly have been paid some of the league’s biggest money on the open market. As it it this deal gives Burns the second highest caphit among NHL defensemen, second only to P.K. Subban. This deal also makes him the highest paid player on the Sharks by more than a million dollars.
Sharks have agreed to eight year deal with Brent Burns believe to be worth around $8 M a year on average
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) November 22, 2016
San Jose Sharks Sign Brent Burns to Extension
Burns had a career best season last year when he finished the season with 75 points. He added another 24 points in 24 playoff games giving him sixth best postseason by a defenseman in NHL history and the best since Brian Leetch 21 years ago. He also got credited with a nomination for the James Norris Memorial Trophy as best defenseman. This comes on the heels of some good seasons in San Jose where he split time as a defenseman and forward after arriving from the Minnesota Wild in 2011.
The new Burns contract was expected to happen sooner rather than later given that the Sharks wanted to avoid a situation like the one the Tampa Bay Lightning ended with Steven Stamkos leading up to the 2016 free agency.
For general manager Doug Wilson this means that perhaps his highest priority of the season is taken care of. With Burns signed he’ll direct his focus on longtime Sharks Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.
There’s so far no word on whether the deal includes any no-trade or no-movement clauses.
Main Photo:
SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks shoots the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins at SAP Center on November 5, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
