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Avalanche sign Sam Malinski to four-year contract extension

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated Jan 27, 2026 1:04 PM ET

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Sam Malinski to a four-year contract extension worth $4.75 million per season, the club announced Tuesday morning.

Malinski, 27, has three goals and 24 points while averaging 16:43 of ice time in 50 games with the Avalanche this year. His existing contract pays him $1.4 million for the 2025-26 season.

“Sam is a hard-working defenseman who has great skating and puck-moving ability,” Avalanche general manager Chris McFarland said in a statement on Tuesday. “His commitment to the defensive side of the game has turned him into a reliable defenseman for us. We’re excited to have him under contract for the following four seasons.”

We have signed Sam Malinski to a four-year extension. pic.twitter.com/IE3Me5H8Nf
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 27, 2026

An undrafted player, Malinski played his junior hockey with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats before spending three seasons at Cornell University. The 5’11” right-shot defender subsequently turned pro with the Avalanche in 2023, upon the conclusion of his junior year with the Big Red.

Malinski made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2023-24 season, collecting three goals and 10 points in his first 23 games. He skated in 76 games with the club the following year and has seen his usage steadily increase ever since.

According to PuckPedia, Malinski’s new contract includes a full no-trade clause in its first two years, followed by a 10-team NTC in year three and a six-team NTC in year four. The Lakeville, Minnesota product had been slated to become an unrestricted free agent upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Through 149 career games over parts of three seasons with the Avalanche, Malinski has collected 11 goals and 49 points. He’s added one assist in five career playoff contests.

With a 35-6-9 record through 50 games this season, the Avalanche currently sit atop the Central Division and the entire National Hockey League. They’ll return to action on Wednesday to take on the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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