NHL News: Avalanche Re-Sign Brett Kulak & Brent Burns

The Colorado Avalanche have taken care of a couple of key pieces of business on the blueline. They've re-signed pending UFAs Brett Kulak and Brent Burns. 

BRETT'S BACK‼️ pic.twitter.com/4XEdOgZIh0

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 26, 2026

Kulak was a nice acquisition in a trade deadline deal (his second time moving this season). He played a key role on the back line for Colorado down the stretch, logging over 20 minutes of average ice time per night during the playoffs. He's earned himself a nice five-year extension with the Avs at a $4.5 million AAV. 

Brent Burns is coming back for his TWENTY THIRD SEASON after re-signing with the Avalanche. pic.twitter.com/aA3QAboDk6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 26, 2026

The 41-year-old Burns, the NHL's oldest player, gets a more modest one-year deal, but he will return for his 23rd NHL season. Incredible. His contract has a base salary of $850,000, but he can max out at about $3 million on his deal, with bonuses. And considering the dude never misses a game, there's a pretty good chance of that happening. 

If Burns plays 55 straight games from the start of next season, he will pass Phil Kessel to become the NHL's all-time leader in consecutive games played with 1,065. The former Norris Trophy winner (2017) will be going into his second year in Colorado.