What does Brent Burns’ recent milestone mean for his legacy in the NHL? On March 16, 2026, Burns scored the 271st goal of his career against the Pittsburgh Penguins, surpassing the legendary Bobby Orr for seventh place on the all-time list of goals scored by NHL defensemen.
Burns achieved this feat in 1,563 games, a stark contrast to Orr’s 270 goals, which he accomplished in just 657 games. This statistic underscores the remarkable longevity and consistency of Burns’ career, which spans over two decades.
Currently, Burns is 17 goals behind Larry Murphy for sixth place among NHL defensemen and 39 goals behind Denis Potvin for fifth place. The record for most goals by a defenseman is held by Ray Bourque, who scored 410 goals.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Burns has also played in 990 consecutive games, making him one of the closest players to Phil Kessel’s record of 1,064 consecutive games. This durability is a testament to his physical conditioning and dedication to the game.
Throughout his career, Burns has accumulated 937 career points, ranking him 11th among defensemen in NHL history. He won the Norris Trophy in 2017 and was a finalist in 2016 and 2019, further solidifying his status as one of the top defensemen in the league.
Of his 271 career goals, 172 were scored during his 11 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, where he became a fan favorite and a key player. This season marks the 14th time Burns has reached double-digit goals in his 22-year NHL career, demonstrating his sustained offensive capabilities.
At 41 years old, Burns continues to defy age-related expectations in professional sports. He was originally a first-round pick by Minnesota in 2003, and his journey has been marked by significant achievements and milestones.
The NHL community is now watching closely to see how many more goals Burns can score before he hangs up his skates. With his current form and determination, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can close the gap on Murphy and Potvin.
Given the irregularity of his time at forward/defense throughout parts of his career, we treat Burns solely as a defenseman, according to the NHL Stats department. This classification highlights his impact and contributions to the defensive position.
As Burns continues to play, the question remains: how many more records can he break before the end of his career? Details remain unconfirmed.