Colorado Avalanche sign NCAA free agent defenseman Sam Malinski

The Colorado Avalanche have signed NCAA standout Sam Malinski to a standard two-year contract on Thursday morning.

The 24-year-old’s contract will begin in 2023-24 and will carry an AAV of $775,000. Malinski will report to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL for the remainder of the regular season.

Malinski finished his third season with Cornell University, recording a career-high eight goals and 26 points as captain. He had 17 goals and 65 points in 91 games for Cornell, with the highlights of his career being his ECAC first all-star team honor in 2021-22 and helping the school win the ECAC regular season championship.

Prior to going the college route, Malinski spent two seasons with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats and another half-season with the USHL’s Cedard Rapids Roughriders. Malinski was named the NAHL’s central division defenseman of the year in 2019 after recording a career-best 14 goals and 45 points.

Compared to most of the NCAA UFA class, Malinski was one of the most well-rounded defensemen on the market. He excels as a shooter, passer and, most importantly, a defender. Cornell sat out 2020-21 due to COVID-19, so he had to spend some significant time catching back up the past two years. The result is an increased work ethic, good mobility and the offensive numbers to go for it. 

On Wednesday, the Avalanche signed one of the top free-agent forwards, inking former Western Michigan Broncos captain Jason Polin to a one-year entry-level deal. The Avs also signed Ben Meyes last spring, who was considered to be one of the best NCAA UFAs available in 2022.

With the Avs remaining a Cup contender, depth like Polin and Malinski gives the Avalanche inexpensive options they can use to fill gaps. Neither are expected to be high-impact players, but both have pro-capable qualities and should factor into game action next year.