Brent Burns is about to do what no one has done before in Avalanche history
Photo credit: Jaylynn Nash / Canes Country
Veteran All-Star defenseman Brent Burns is poised to make history next season by doing something no player has ever done before in the storied history of the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche reached a one-year agreement with the veteran defenseman earlier this offseason.
Brent Burns set to make Avalanche history.
Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that while expectations for new Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns may be modest heading into the 2025-25 season, he's set to make history for the franchise one way or another.
Hopefully, Burns thrives in his more limited role, and now, there's a new detail that's sure to catch the attention of some fans.
"Burns will wear the number 84 in his first (and possibly only) year with the Avalanche. Some will wonder why that matters. The reason is that there has been a grand total of zero players who have donned that jersey number in franchise history.
On the other side of history is the number 99, which was worn by The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. That number is retired across the entire NHL, never to be worn again." -Tiedtke
On the other side of history is the number 99, which was worn by The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. That number is retired across the entire NHL, never to be worn again." -Tiedtke
Burns currently ranks 21st all-time in NHL games played, with 1,497 under his belt. Remarkably, he leads all active players in this category, even ahead of Alexander Ovechkin, who sits at 1,491.
If Burns were to play all 82 games in the upcoming season, a long shot given his expected limited role, he would climb to 12th place on the all-time list. Then again, he's played every regular season game over the past four years and has logged ten full 82-game seasons in his career, so never say never.
"The bar isn't necessarily set high for Burns, who will likely play on the Avalanche's third defensive pairing. Perhaps he can somehow carve out a bigger role than most expect, and become a solid goal scorer like he has in the past. He has played at the forward position, after all. I just wouldn't be quick to rule out a very solid year for the 40 year old Burns." -Tiedtke
It's possible that Burns thrives in his third-pairing role to the point where he earns a promotion, potentially moving up to replace Josh Manson, who hasn't won over everyone. Maybe head coach Jared Bednar gives Burns a look alongside Sam Girard to shake things up.
At the end of the day, I'm just hoping for the best outcome for Burns in an Avalanche sweater. No matter how many games he ends up playing, he's bound to make some kind of history with the team, especially while wearing a jersey number that's never before been used to by a Colorado Avalanche player.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Brent Burns will create history with the Colorado Avalanche in 2025-26 season
Mile High Sticking
Brent Burns will create history with the Colorado Avalanche in 2025-26 season
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AOUT 5 | 30 ANSWERS Brent Burns is about to do what no one has done before in Avalanche history Will Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns play in all 82 regular-season games next season? | ||
| yes | 12 | 40 % |
| no | 18 | 60 % |
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