Avalanche players caught in shocking on-ice twist that fans didn't see coming

Earlier this month, newly acquired veteran defenseman Brent Burns was spotted putting in the work at practice with his new Avalanche threads.

On Tuesday, Burns was spotted once again practicing some skill drills alongside teammates Brock Nelson, Samuel Girard, and Keaton Middleton.

Nelson, who signed a three-year contract extension this summer was seen skating for the first time this offseason.

The Avalanche signed Nelson to a three-year contract extension carrying a $7.5 million AAV, totalling $22.5 million. Nelson was set to hit unrestricted free agency but will now remain in Colorado through the 2027-28 season.

Nelson scored six goals and tallied 13 points in 19 games with the Avalanche. Colorado aimed for a championship but was stopped by Dallas, their Central Division rivals. Although Nelson didn't score any goals in the seven-game series, he contributed four assists for the team.

Burns signed a one-year contract this summer where he will earn a $1 million base salary next season, with performance bonuses on games played that could push the total to $4 million.

The 40-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Carolina following an 11-year run with the San Jose Sharks and seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild. Across his NHL career, Burns has tallied 261 goals and 649 assists in 1,497 games.

It remains to be seen where he'll slot into the Avalanche's lineup, and whether his arrival prompts any other roster moves. We'll have to wait and see.

It's great, however, to see the boys putting in some early work ahead of the next season.