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Colorado Avalanche News

The Sharks signed Brent Burns to a eight-year deal worth $64 million ($8.0M AAV).

Burns is a special player and that forced the Sharks to sign him to the longest contract in franchise history. Burns will be 32 in March, so he will be 40-year-old in the final year of his contract, which isn’t ideal, but was necessary to get him signed. After a historic 2015-16 season, Burns has picked up 16 points (7G / 9A) in 19 games, to put him on pace for a career-high 30 goals and 38 assists (68 points)

Brent Burns
Nichushkin is expected to sign a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow (KHL).

Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.

Valeri Nichushkin
The Avalanche signed Nathan MacKinnon to a seven-year deal worth $44.1 million ($6.3M AAV).

MacKinnon, 20, was the first overall pick in 2013 and is coming off of three strong seasons to start his NHL career. In 2015-16, MacKinnon had 21 goals and 31 assists (52 points) in 72 games. He has missed 28 games over the three years, but has scored at a strong pace—22 goals, 35 assists per 82 games. Entering his age 21 season, expect MacKinnon to take another step forward.

Nathan MacKinnon
The Maple Leafs have signed Nazem Kadri to a six-year deal worth $27 million ($4.5M AAV).

Statistically Kadri didn’t have the greatest season but the Maple Leafs were impressed with his development and have inked him to a very reasonable six-year extension. Kadri will look to build off of his 2015-16 season where he had 17 goals and 28 assists (45 points) in 76 games. This raise should also help him pay for all those fines that seem to be adding up.

Nazem Kadri
Kadri has been suspended for four games for his cross-check on Luke Glendening.

Kadri was assessed a two-minute minor on the play, but has been suspended for the final four games of the regular season. Kadri finishes the season with 45 points (17G / 28A) in 76 games. Tyler Bozak will take over as the team’s top line centre.

Nazem Kadri