Avalanche Re-Sign Brent Burns, Brett Kulak

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Avalanche Re-Sign Brent Burns, Brett Kulak

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors | By Ethan Hetu | Last updated Jun 26, 2026 2:17 PM ET

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak, according to a pair of team announcements. Kulak’s extension is a five-year pact, while Burns’ deal is for one year.

The financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, but Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has reported Kulak’s deal carries a $4.5MM AAV. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported Burns’ deal carries a league-minimum $850K base salary, but he can earn “over $2MM more” in performance bonuses.

In re-signing this pair of veteran defensemen, the Avalanche have prevented losing two of their six regular blueliners in free agency next week. Kulak, 32, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a February deal that included Stanley Cup champion Samuel Girard. Kulak, who has been to the Stanley Cup Final three times in his 663-game NHL career, was a solid fit in Colorado.

While he only scored three points in 27 regular-season games, he really made his mark in the playoffs. Kulak scored five points in 13 games, and his lone goal of the postseason was an overtime marker that sent the Avalanche to the Western Conference Final.

Kulak quickly earned the trust of head coach Jared Bednar, averaging 19:08 time on ice per game, which ranked No. 3 among all Avalanche blueliners with at least 20 games played. In the playoffs, his usage ticked up to 20:37 per game. In both the regular season and playoffs, Kulak capably handled 90 seconds of ice time on the penalty kill per game.

While this deal has some downside risk as it carries Kulak to the age of 37, his re-signing will certainly help the Avalanche in the immediate term as they chase another Stanley Cup title. Kulak himself has been to the Stanley Cup Final on three occasions, but lost each time. (2021 Montreal Canadiens, 2024 and 2025 Edmonton Oilers)

While Kulak will almost certainly not have a spot on Colorado’s top pairing (the place alongside Cale Makar belongs to Devon Toews), he could fit into the team’s top-four next to Josh Manson or Sam Malinski.

Kulak could also end up paired with Burns, who will turn 42 before today’s extension runs to its end.

A potential future Hall of Fame inductee, Burns is continuing his legendary NHL career for another campaign as he chases the Stanley Cup ring that has thus far eluded him. Burns had a strong season in Colorado, scoring 12 goals and 35 points in 82 games.

That represented a step up from his production in 2024-25, when he had just 29 points.

While Burns is not the offensive force he once was, he showed last season he can still be productive in the NHL, and provides the team with some cover in case they lose Makar, their top power play quarterback, to an injury. The Avalanche also utilized Burns as a regular penalty killer, with his 2:12 short-handed time on ice per game ranking second on the team.

While defensive prowess has not been Burns’ calling card throughout his NHL career, becoming a regular penalty killer in Colorado is an interesting wrinkle he’s added to his game. With a cost centered around performance bonuses, there is a real avenue for Burns to provide Colorado with surplus value as he plays out this contract.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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