Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sharks outlook: Offensively dynamic, Burns' D must improve
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, September 14, 2015 - 9:30am
Follow @kkurzcsn

Editor's note: This article is part of an ongoing series in which Kevin Kurz will highlight a different Sharks player every day leading up to the start of training camp.

Name/Position: Brent Burns, D

Age: 30

2015-16 cap hit/contract: $5.76 million, signed through 2016-17

2014-15 year in review: After a season-and-a-half playing left wing, Brent Burns shifted back to the Sharks’ blue line full time with mixed results. Offensively he was a force, particularly on the power play, scoring 16 goals and 60 points (second in the NHL among defensemen). He was the Sharks’ lone representative at the NHL All-Star game in Columbus based on his skill at that end of the rink.

Defensively it was an adventure, as Burns’ transition back there (along with the departure of Dan Boyle) threw a disastrous monkey wrench into the team’s previously solid structure while taking a dangerous weapon away from the top six forwards. He just made too many blatant errors and wasn’t committed enough, driving the coaching staff crazy in the process.

As we’ve previously pointed out, the Sharks seemed to have better results the less Burns played. In 33 games that Burns played more than 25 minutes, the Sharks were 13-14-6 while allowing 2.94 goals per game. In 29 games in which Burns played fewer than 23 minutes, the Sharks were 16-11-2 while allowing just 2.34 goals per game. That’s not a coincidence.

2015-16 outlook: Once again, the Sharks’ success as a team will depend heavily on the performance of Burns, who has become one of the more popular players among the team’s fan base. Pete DeBoer has made it clear that Burns will remain on defense, putting to rest any possibility he would move the Wookie back up front again.

Burns, who led the Sharks in ice time last season at 23:57 per game, will likely remain in the top four. DeBoer has already revealed his plan of pairing Burns with newcomer Paul Martin, hoping that the 34-year-old has the same positive effect with Burns that he had with the talented Kris Letang in Pittsburgh.

DeBoer already has a handle on Burns, too, having coached him in the World Championships twice. Most recently, Burns was named as the tournament’s best defenseman as Canada took home gold while DeBoer served as an assistant to Todd McLellan. “I had no issues with him defensively,” DeBoer told me at the NHL Draft in June. “I’ve had him in two World Championships, and neither time did he have issues defensively.”

That’s encouraging, as Burns will simply have to be better in his own end – while maintaining his dynamic offensive play – for the Sharks’ season to be a successful one.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
Bumgarner: Giants 'can't afford any losses' going forward
Bochy on Belt injury: 'Couldn't focus,' likely to miss time
Bochy: 'Offensively, we couldn't generate anything'

Giants

Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
Rewind: Giants lose game to D'backs, and lose Belt to injury
NL West Watch: Greinke, Seager lead Dodgers over Pirates
Instant Replay: Pollock's robbery puts dent in Giants' hopes
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: Believe it or not, relief in sight for A's bullpen
Instant Replay: Valencia's two homers power A's past Astros
A's lineup: Semien returns to ninth spot
A's prospect shot in head, torso in New York
Read More

Sharks

Ward, Jones, Martin get comfortable in first Sharks practice
Sharks support DeBoer: 'Maybe it was time to get new voice here'
Sharks open camp with some familiar lines, combos
DeBoer committed to wiping Sharks' slate clean
Read More

49ers

49ers-Steelers injury reports: Ellington questionable
Four arrested following assault at Levi's, 49ers issue statement
49ers' Bush will not play against Steelers
Week 2: Top 10 49ers, Steelers to watch
Read More

Raiders

87 deceased NFL players test positive for brain disease
Ex-Ravens, Titans SS Pollard works out with Raiders
Week 2: Top 10 Ravens, Raiders to watch
Walford: Everything 'a learning experience' during healthy month
Read More

Warriors

SoCal outfit to commission Warriors' championship rings
Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (9.18.15)
Warriors outlook: Can superstar Steph soar to new heights?
Curry returns to Charlotte, takes NBA trophy to Davidson
Read More

NCAA

Texas DC: Cal QB Jared Goff 'is Aaron Rodgers'
For Cal, beating Texas would 'put us on the map'
Ray Ratto's Top 25: Harbaugh's play card day-to-day
Hogan bounces back, leads Stanford past Central Florida
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Giants lose game to D'backs, and lose Belt to injury
  • Instant Replay: Pollock's robbery puts dent in Giants' hopes
  • Giants notes: Crawford returns, Hudson set for Sunday
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Believe it or not, relief in sight for A's bullpen
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Glen & Ray: Valencia, Lawrie thriving with set positions
Glen & Ray: Valencia, Lawrie thriving with set positions
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Believe it or not, relief in sight for A's bullpen
  • Instant Replay: Valencia's two homers power A's past Astros
  • Rewind: Beane says Semien could fit anywhere on the diamond
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Ward, Jones, Martin get comfortable in first Sharks practice
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Ward, Jones, Martin get comfortable in first Sharks practice
  • Sharks support DeBoer: 'Maybe it was time to get new voice here'
  • Sharks open camp with some familiar lines, combos
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

SoCal outfit to commission Warriors' championship rings
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

Warriors Mission Bay arena rendering
Warriors Mission Bay arena rendering
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (9.18.15)
  • Warriors outlook: Can superstar Steph soar to new heights?
  • Warriors outlook: Matchups will dictate Bogut's impact
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Report: Kings will bring back big man Eric Moreland
ProBasketballTalk

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Report: Kings among teams interested in C Hollins
Report: Kings sign former NCAA star Marshall Henderson
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers-Steelers injury reports: Ellington questionable
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Mangini: Smart, gifted Aaron Lynch has 'tremendous potential'
Mangini: Smart, gifted Aaron Lynch has 'tremendous potential'
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Aldon Smith charged with three misdemeanors
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Ex-Ravens, Titans SS Pollard works out with Raiders
CSN Bay Area staff

RAIDERS VIDEO

Del Rio: Ravens' Dumervil 'terrific guy off the edge'
Del Rio: Ravens' Dumervil 'terrific guy off the edge'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Week 2: Top 10 Ravens, Raiders to watch
  • Walford: Everything 'a learning experience' during healthy month
  • Raiders injury report: Woodson questionable, three others out
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes draw with Impact after 10-man equalizer
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Believe it or not, relief in sight for A's bullpen
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Giants lose game to D'backs, and lose Belt to injury
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers-Steelers injury reports: Ellington questionable
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Week 2: Top 10 Ravens, Raiders to watch
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (9.18.15)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Ward, Jones, Martin get comfortable in first Sharks practice
See more >

RAY RATTO

In Bill James' parallel universe, Giants lead Dodgers in NL West

ENTER TO WIN SHARKS TICKETS!

tix

Enter here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Predators vs Sharks game on 10/28!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!

nbc

Click here and enter to win a trip to Universal Orlando, presented by Bookit.com!

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
Giants Toe the Rubber: Patrick Corbin vs Mike Leake
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California