Burns 'Energized and Excited' To Join Canes

RALEIGH, NC. -Driving a family from Canada to Texas is a task within itself.
Experiencing mechanical issues on top of it adds another challenge.
Sprinkle in being traded from an organization that he'd spent the last 11 years of his life with and it's understandable why Brent Burns said he was a bit "rattled" Wednesday.

In the middle of the NHL's first day of free agency, the 37-year-old defender was
dealt from the San Jose Sharks to the Carolina Hurricanes
, giving the Canes their new number one right-handed defenseman. The 2017 Norris Trophy-winning defenseman said he received the call as he was making his way back to the family's ranch in the Lone Star State after attending his brother's wedding just outside of Toronto.
"It's a huge rush of energy and excitement to come to Carolina," the six-time All-Star began of the change. "It's always a place that when you play there, it's crazy. I was always a guy that would ride to the games early and see there's people out there tailgating. It's just such a special place and a loud building."
In order for the trade to be completed Burns had to agree to waive his three-team no-trade clause, one that came with the eight-year contract he signed with San Jose during the 2016-17 season.
"I think [coming to Raleigh] is a very easy fit for us, as hard as it was for us to leave San Jose and try something new," he continued on. "That's not an easy thing to do when you're in a place for so long. I have nothing but great things to say about San Jose, but today's been really nice. Just having this extra excitement and extra energy, I can feel it already. It's something really special to come and be a part of."
After then-pending restricted free agent Tony DeAngelo was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers less than a week ago, a spot opened for Carolina on the right side of their blue line for a second consecutive offseason - one that General Manager Don Waddell described Wednesday as "a need to address".
"We felt that the absolute best option out there, we went after and pursued," Waddell stated as he met with the Raleigh media shortly after the trade broke. "He's a big man that's played a lot of minutes and he's very durable."
Despite being 37 years of age, Burns played an average of 26:09 per night last season, third most in the NHL behind only Seth Jones (CHI) and Thomas Chabot (OTT). He also did so while playing in all 82 contests for the Sharks.

"I've always loved playing a lot. I love working, I think that's one of the reasons I'm still here," Burns continued of his longevity. "It's a passion to work out and [to keep a strong] fitness level. Don't get me wrong, I love my Tim Hortons and my bag of potato chips, but I really take pride in getting older and still taking care of myself."
Waddell mentioned that the veteran defenseman has already expressed his eagerness to get to North Carolina and work with Strength & Conditioning Coach Bill Burniston.
"He's a fitness guru. I think he's played every game for six or seven years in a row now," Waddell furthered.
Presumed to be the newest partner of Jaccob Slavin's on the blue line, Burns admitted that he hasn't had a ton of time to process what playing along #74 will be like, but he is very familiar with his game.
"Just to have that opportunity is something special. He's been a great player for a long time now and just makes the game look easy," Burns provided of the 2020-21 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner. "He's very smart and it would be awesome to have the chance to play with him."
"Rod [Brind'Amour] will make that decision," Waddell coyly spoke of where Burns fits into the defensive six. "But we talked about it and we think that Skjei and Pesce play well together. So the spot with Slavin, that can be a pretty dynamic pair."

Regardless of who he plays alongside, Waddell and crew feel as if the deal to bring Burns aboard moves the organization closer toward their goal of bringing a second Stanley Cup to Raleigh.
"I think today we made our team better, for sure," the General Manager said when looking at the broad perspective of the trade. "There's no doubt in my mind that some of the players we're adding, and also the current experience that our young players have received in the playoffs the last couple of years, helps]. Guys like Brent Burns, that's a huge addition to our team. Eight or nine of our players have reached out saying, 'Wow, I can't believe we got this guy.'"
As for the incoming piece, he's cognizant of the organization's win-now plan, just as he is of where he's at in his career. For that reason, both parties believe the transaction makes even more sense.
"It's a great team that's competing for a championship every year," Burns stated. "For me, I'm coming to a time where winning and having a chance to win it all is really all that matters right now."
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