After exiting the Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round for two consecutive postseasons, the Carolina Hurricanes decided to make a splashy move they hope will help them make that next step. The Canes orchestrated a blockbuster trade on Wednesday that saw them acquire All-Star defenseman Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks.
In order to get Burns, who has a Norris Trophy on his resume, Carolina gave up forward Steven Lorentz, goalkeeper Eetu Makiniemi (AHL), and a third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. As part of the deal, the Sharks will also send forward Lane Pederson (AHL).
The move makes a lot of sense for the Sharks since it seems like they still have a long way to go before returning to the playoffs. While Burns has become a franchise legend since coming to San Jose in 2011, the Sharks will benefit from having part of his $8 million cap hit off their books. Picking up a fine player in Lorentz also doesn’t hurt.
On the other hand, the Canes are all in on maximizing their championship window. Despite the fact that Burns turned 37 in March and will be 40 in the final year of his deal, Carolina believes the veteran will be a difference-maker in years to come.
“Since it’s been announced, eight or nine of our current players have already texted me saying, ‘Wow, they can’t believe we got this guy,'” the Canes’ general manager Don Waddell told reporters. “That’s always a positive sign.”
Brent Burns spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild before arriving in San Jose. He has six All-Star nods, two First All-Star Team appearances, and one award for the best NHL defenseman. Burns played a total of 1,251 games in the NHL, scoring 227 goals and providing 550 goals for a total of 777 points.
