Newly acquired defenseman Brent Burns signs five-year, $28.8 million contract with San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks had to give up their valuable forward, Devin Setoguchi, for much needed improvement to their defensive end as they acquired All-Star defenseman, Brent Burns, during the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. After over a month since
the trade took place between San Jose and Minnesota Wild, Burns finally agreed to a long-term deal.
According to latest reports, Brent Burns signed a four-year contract extension, which altogether brings the total from his carrying on contract to five-years, worth an estimated $28.8 million.
Everyone knew that San Jose was in desperate need of a physical defenseman, after proving a solid offensive end, Sharks were ready to sign a hot-headed defender to almost whatever he demanded.
"It certainly would have been viewed in our minds differently if it was only a one-year deal", San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said. "That's the risk you have to take in this business. You have to go with what you think makes your hockey team better
both now and in the future. This type of player doesn't come around that often and there was certainly a risk involved".
Burns, a Barrie, Ontario, Canada native, became recognized as one of the leagues’ top defenseman by scoring a career high of 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 80 games last season. Him being picked as 20th overall during round-one of the 2003
NHL Entry Draft by Minnesota, had him secured on the team ever since.
Fortunately, the deal is not any less than practically striking gold for the 26-year-old, who not only loves the team and is familiar with many of the players already on the roster including finding the city a great place for him and his family to live in.
"After the trade went through we went down to San Jose and it was awesome", Burns said on a conference call Monday. "The city was great and the organization was just unbelievable how they treated us”.
Burns also remained steadfast during his time after being traded to the west coast. He could have opted to become an unrestricted free agent, but rather let the team play out a contract by itself, which in the end turned out much better than expected.
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