Brent Burns is a 6 foot 5 inch, 230-pound mutant who celebrated his 38th birthday earlier this month. As one of the oldest players in the league, Burns should be slowing down. “Brent has been an elite offensive defenseman in the NHL for a long time,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell told local media this summer. “He has produced at a consistent level throughout his career, and we believe adding him brings us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup.” Waddell received the aging defensemen from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft, goalie prospect Eetu Makiniemi, and restricted free agent Steven Lorentz.
“You always look at age, but everybody ages differently,” Waddell continued. “This is a big man who’s played a lot of minutes and been very durable throughout his career. We think he’s got at least three more real good years in him as he reaches forty.” Burns was paired on Carolina’s top defensive line beside Jacco Slavin.
Sixty-nine games into the season Burns has already found his place in Carolina Hurricanes’ history. His fifty-three points lead all defensemen since the team relocated for the 1997-98 season. If Burns maintains his current scoring pace he’ll finish the season with seventy-seven points. Only three shy of Mark Howe’s 1980 franchise record.
With his team leading 1601 minutes of ice time so far this season, Burns has the opportunity to build his debut season as a Hurricane. Before the season started some fans were concerned that the former Minnesota Wild and San Jose Shark would be a step behind. Carolina is known for playing a physical game that requires everyone to play as hard as they can at all times.
“It’s his routine,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “That’s why he has been successful for a long time. He has his way to take care of himself. He does what he feels he needs to keep his body moving.”
Brind’Amour might have been the best coach Burns could have asked for in the waning years of his career. Brind’Amour was known for his work ethic during his playing career and still sets the standard for prospects during training camp each summer. “I can relate. That’s for sure,” Brind’Amour said. “I’m not getting in his way. Everyone told me I had to rest too. He knows what he needs to do to get ready.”
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