Sharks, Burns Agree To 8-Year Contract Extension
Brent Burns has made it clear he belongs in the Bay Area. As of Tuesday afternoon, he will play out the rest of his career in a teal uniform.
According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, the San Jose Sharks have locked up the 31-year-old offensive defenseman to an eight-year deal worth $64 million. He will remain a Shark through the 2024-25 season.
Burns deal is front loaded and includes signing bonuses. Does NOT include no-move but does have limited no-trade
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 22, 2016
Here's what General Manager Doug Wilson had to say on the new contract:
"Brent is one the most dynamic players in the National Hockey League and we're very excited to get this deal done," said Wilson. "He has worked extremely hard to be an elite defenseman and at six-foot-five, 230-pounds, his abilities on this ice are unique and rare. I also want to thank Hasso Plattner and our entire ownership group for their commitment to our franchise and the fans in San Jose by stepping forward and making this commitment to Brent."
So far this season, Burns leads the team in goals (7) and shares the lead in points with Joe Pavelski (16) through 19 games. Last season, he set franchise records for goals in a season by a defenseman (27) and points by a defenseman (75) - both previously held by Sandis Ozolinsh in 1993-94 (26 goals and 64 points).
Burns, whose current contract would have run up in July of 2017, is playing his sixth season in San Jose - putting up 256 points in 363 games. The Sharks traded for Burns back in 2011 from the Minnesota Wild for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Croyle and a 1st round draft pick.
The two-time All Star and Norris trophy finalist last season has a total of 439 points in 816 career games with the Sharks and Wild. He also picked up a gold medal with team Canada in the 2015 World Championships while being named the tournament's best defenseman.
This contract is now the largest handed out by the Sharks franchise since its inaugural 1991 season.