Avalanche fans rejoice after team signs elite young defensive talent
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers / USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche have reached a new agreement with restricted free agent Sam Malinski, according to a report from PuckPedia.
The contract comes with a cap hit of $1.4 million.
Avalanche lock up top young defenseman on Monday.
Steven Ellis from Daily Faceoff writes that once considered one of the top undrafted college free agents in 2023, Malinski has played his entire NHL career with the Avalanche. The 26-year-old defenseman has recorded 25 points across 199 career game over two seasons, including 15 points in 76 games this past season. He also produced 27 points in 46 games with the AHL's Colorado Eagles and added another 10 points in 23 postseason appearances.
"Used primarily in a third-pairing role, Malinski averaged 15:57 in ice time while blocking 107 shots this year. Prior to turning pro, Malinski built himself an impressive resume at Cornell University. In three seasons with the school, Malinski won an ECAC regular season title, was named to the ECAC's first all-star team twice and made it onto the NCAA's All-Ivy League team in 2023." -Ellis
According to PuckPedia, the Avalanche head into free agency with $7.55 million in cap space. Malinksi is now one of sic defenseman under contract for next season, while Ryan Lindgren, Tucker Poolman, and Erik Johnson are all slated to hit unrestricted free agency on Tuesday. Malinski himslef is set to become a UFA next summer. Other pending unrestricted free agents include Jimmy Vesey, Jonathan Drouin, and Joel Kiviranta.
Stylistically, Malinksi is a quick, puck-moving defenseman who isn't shy about paying with an edge, even at 5-foot-11.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 30 | 33 ANSWERS Avalanche fans rejoice after team signs elite young defensive talent Are you happy that the Avalanche extended defenseman Sam Malinski? | ||
| yes | 28 | 84.8 % |
| no | 5 | 15.2 % |
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