Sharks, Burns agree to 8-year contract extension
The San Jose Sharks and defenseman Brent Burns have agreed to terms on a maximum eight-year contract extension, the team confirmed Tuesday.
Financial details were not disclosed, but ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports that the Sharks' rover will earn around $8-million each season throughout the life of the deal, valuing the agreement at roughly $64 million.
LeBrun also notes that Burns will take in $54 million in the first six seasons of the front-loaded agreement, which is paramount considering that he will turn 40 before the contract expires. Also, his annual income will be safeguarded with signing bonuses, but he will not have the benefit of no-movement protection, instead settling for a limited no-trade condition.
Burns is in line to be the highest-paid member of the Sharks next season and beyond, and will cost more annually than any defenseman save for Nashville's P.K. Subban. His current $5.76-million salary is the highest among the club's current fleet of blue liners.
The previously-converted defender is coming off a career season in which he posted 27 goals, 75 points, and put the second-most shots on target league-wide, earning his first Norris Trophy nomination.
He's contributed seven goals and 16 points in 19 games this season.