Avalanche bring back Sam Malinski on one-year deal

The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back defenseman Sam Malinksi on a 1-year, $1.4 million contract for the 2025-26 season. The franchise has liked the production Malinski has given them over the past two seasons and saw an opportunity to bring him back with a relatively low price tag for a third campaign.

The #GoAvsGO have agreed to terms with RFA Malinski on a 1 year $1.4M Deal

Will be UFA on expiry

15P in 76 GP

Rep'd by @Hockeyagent @DHermiston8 @wassermanhockey https://t.co/vOHHRR2alj

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 30, 2025

Malinski, 26, has been a solid depth piece for Colorado on the blue line, as he was a +8 on the ice in 76 games played this season (15:53 average time on ice). He tallied 15 points (5G, 10A) while playing in a variety of combinations in Jared Bednar’s lineup. Malinski was part of two of the Avalanche’s top defensive pairings from an offensive standpoint, only behind two different combinations featuring Cale Makar.

While Malinski hasn’t gotten a wide open canvas full of opportunities on the offensive end of the ice, he has shown some flashes when given the chance with his ability to quickly flick the puck off the end of his stick and past the opposing goalie. As he continues to grow and gain more NHL experience, he should be able to become an even better depth piece for the burgundy and blue.

Colorado goal!

Scored by Sam Malinski with 00:09 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Devon Toews.

St. Louis: 5
Colorado: 4#COLvsSTL #stlblues #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/cZqQpHNBru

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 6, 2025

The move now leaves the Avalanche with $7.55 million in cap space to work with in free agency after they cleared up a lot of room last week when they sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus in a trade. Free agency officially opens on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. MDT as the Avalanche look to make a few more moves to retool the roster to try and get back to the mountaintop after three straight years of playoff heartbreak.

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