Avalanche extend contracts for defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Brett Kulak to a five-year contract extension valued at $4.5 million annually. Following the departure of Valeri Nichushkin, Kulak's deal includes a full no-trade clause for the first three years. The Avalanche also secured veteran Brent Burns for another season with a base salary of $875,000, plus potential for over $2 million in performance bonuses. With these signings, GM Joe Sakic has $5.6 million in salary cap space remaining for further roster adjustments ahead of the next season.

• 9:20 PMYahoo Sports — Defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns return to Colorado on contract extensions