Denver (AP) — Sam Malinsky’s impressive breakout year was rewarded Tuesday when the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a four-year contract extension with the defenseman. The deal is reported to be valued at $19 million, with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.
At 27 years old, Malinsky is currently achieving career highs with 21 assists and 24 points, while averaging over 16 minutes of ice time per game. He ranks second among Avalanche defensemen in assists, trailing only Cale Makar, the reigning Norris Trophy winner.
Avalanche GM Chris McFarland praised Malinsky, saying, “Sam is a hardworking defenseman with excellent skating and puck-moving skills. His focus and effort on defense have made him a dependable player for us.” This move continues the Avalanche’s trend of rewarding promising players this season. Earlier, in November, Gavin Brindley signed a two-year extension shortly after scoring the NHL’s first overtime game-winner. Brindley, a 5-foot-8, 173-pound player acquired in June from Columbus, is also part of the team’s youth development. Additionally, three months ago, Colorado secured Martin Necas with an eight-year, $92 million extension through 2034.
Malinsky was signed as a college free agent in March 2023 and made the active roster for the 2024-25 season, becoming a regular on the blue line. Over his career, he has played 149 regular-season games, scoring 11 goals and providing 38 assists. He also appeared in five playoff games against Dallas last season, recording one assist. Hailing from Lakeville, Minnesota, and standing 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Malinsky attended Cornell University from 2019 to 2023 and served as team captain during the 2022-23 season.
Fan Take: This extension highlights Colorado’s commitment to developing young talent while rewarding their rising stars, which bodes well for the team’s future competitiveness. For fans, it’s exciting to see players like Malinsky get long-term stability and a chance to grow, making the game even more engaging to watch and follow.
