Brent Burns. A name which, at 40, should no longer circulate as much on the market for autonomous players.
And yet, at the dawn of July 1, the former Sharks and Hurricanes is at the heart of the wildest rumors. And this time, it is inside the Atlantic division that it agitates: Montreal, Toronto and Detroit would all be on the case.
The link with Montreal is as surprising as it is fascinating. According to what circulates behind the scenes of the tricolor, Kent Hughes would be ready to consider the Burns option to be the failure of the Noah Dobson track or another right -handed defender. A plan d? Maybe. But a strategic plan.
Brent Burns is a right -hander. A rare commodity. And within the CH, the only promise in this position is Logan Mailloux. But the future of Mailloux is vague: either he is exchanged in a transaction, or he goes up to Montreal for good. And in the latter case, Brent Burns would be an ideal mentor to help him tame the responsibilities of an NHL defender.
Burns, in the end of the season in Raleigh, did not speak about retirement. On the contrary. He even said he wanted to play again “as long as I feel useful”. And with 82 games played this season, a use of more than 20 minutes per evening, six goals and 29 points, it remains very useful.
What draws attention to Montreal is that Burns is looking for a quiet place. He said he wants “a place where the big media do not run everything”.
Brent Burns arrived in front of the journalists, calm but visibly charged with emotions. After a long season, punctuated by ups and downs, the veteran had not yet ruled on his future.
“Nothing has really changed,” he said from the start.
“I didn’t want to think about it too much this year. »»
Last year, he suffered from an injury that led him to surgery, which affected his season on the physical and mental levels. But this year?
“I felt well physically. My body was fine. »»
Even if he didn’t want to project himself too far, Burns recognized how much he had liked Raleigh. The city, people, routine, family: everything comes into a formula that seems perfect for him.
“It’s a special place. We have a family life here. Journalists are very nice and leave us alone. The journey to the arena takes 30 to 45 seconds. No matter the red lights. »»
At that time in his career, these small details are taking great importance.
“It is a big city that has the soul of a small town. »»
On the hockey side, Burns has accepted a different role this season, more defensive, more deleted. Far from seeing him as a demotion, he rather talked about it as a stimulating challenge.
“I liked it. It was different, but it was pleasant. »»
Alongside Jaccob Slavin, he faced the best opposing trios every evening.
“If you make a mistake, it’s a golden opportunity for them. It’s stressful, but that’s what makes it too exciting. »»
The question of the Stanley Cup is inevitable at this stage of his career. Burns is well aware of this. He knows how rare and precious opportunities are.
“So much things have to line up for it to work. You look at the other series, and you see incredible teams eliminated quickly. You need special chemistry. »»
This is why he cherishes this group of Hurricanes:
“It’s a special team. The guys laugh together, work hard. »»
He also spoke with tenderness of his coach, Rod Brind’amour. Which makes us say that he would love Martin St-Louis, because we are talking about the same kind of coaches.
“He has automatic respect. He knows what it is, because he experienced him as a player. When he talks to you, you know he understands what you live. »»
Burns stressed how much it makes a difference on a daily basis.
“It’s easier to receive a criticism when it comes from someone who has been for you. »»
Finally, when he was asked if he saw a return to Raleigh, he was clear:
“We love being here. We would like it to work. »»
However, he admitted that he needed time, that many elements came into play, including family, children, their education.
“Right now, I’m just driving children to their activities and thinking about changing my tires,” he said with humor.
Does he have the patience to manage hysteria in Place Bell, RDS, TVA Sports and the crowded room of the Bell Center? Difficult to believe. But if he accepts a mentor role on the second pair, with reduced responsibilities, he could find a form of peace in a young rising team.
Toronto, for his part, seems ready to offer him a real chance of winning the cup. Brad Treliving wants to change the soul of his locker room. But Toronto is as worse as Montreal, a media point of view.
Brent Burns would be a breath of fresh air, an eccentric but respected leader, and above all a rear capable of relaunching the digital advantage of the Leafs.
With his quarter-back skills, his vision and his “slashot”, he would offer immediate support to Morgan Rielly. He could play in the second duo, take the place of Klingberg, and transform the locker room.
But the leafs are not alone. Detroit is to be monitored. Steve Yzerman needs a veteran on the right to supervise Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinson.
Burns could see it as a beautiful transmission project, and a rapid progress team, looking for a first participation in the series since 2016.
And then there are the Hurricanes. Rod Brind’amour loves Burns. He defended it publicly at the end of the season:
“It is phenomenal. He knew how to adapt his game. He gave us an excellent yield, especially in numerical inferiority. He can still play at high level ”.
But the Hurricanes want to rejuvenate. And his contract being finished, they do not seem ready to offer him an extension.
What makes the Montreal option plausible is the possibility of a very short contract, at low prices. Burns wants to play, not blow up the bank.
For Kent Hughes, it is a rare opportunity to solve a problem on the right, without breaking the bank or sacrificing young workers. A one -year contract, 2 or 3 million, and the turn is played.
The fact remains that the Montreal mediaphere is not made for everyone. And Burns, with his beards, his exotic reptiles and his obsession for tranquility, could quickly be disillusioned.
But if the call of the Quebec metropolis is quite strong, it could become one of the most fascinating mentors in NHL. And offer Logan Mailloux the perfect model to learn without pressure.
Until then, his name circulates. More and more strong. And when a name like Brent Burns resonates to Montreal, it’s never for nothing.
