Bay Area Sports: Ranking the Top 30 Players

Nov 10, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) warms up before the game against the New York Islanders at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports.

#19 – Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

Brent Burns just looks like he was made to be a hockey player. He’s got the big, bushy beard, shaggy hair, a couple of missing teeth, built very well at 6’5″ and 230 pounds, and he wears things like this. On top of all that, he can play a little bit of hockey, as well.

Burns has switched back and forth between defense and forward a few times in his career, but he has played well in both spots. In the 2014-2015 season, Burns was one of the best offensive defensemen in the game. He ranked second in the NHL among defensemen in points (60), fourth in both goals (17) and assists (43), and third in shots on goals (245).

Early in this season, Burns’ offensive aptitude has sparked a good start to the season for the Sharks, even despite a couple of injuries. Burns is second on the team with 16 points and nine assists, and is third on the team with seven goals.

Burns is a darn good hockey player and is just as popular with the fans. While the Sharks are in a slight “rebuild” phase, Burns is young enough, at 30 years old, to stick around for a while, and old enough to help the team’s youngster’s move forward.

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