SAM MALINSKI NEWS

Puts away goal in Wednesday's win Malinski scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Sharks.

Impact The goal was Malinski's first since Opening Night, but he's hardly been quiet this year. He's yet to go more than three games without a point, racking up two goals and 10 assists in 23 appearances, including seven points over 11 outings in November. Malinski has added 40 shots on net, 24 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating this season. He's flying under the radar on the Avalanche's third pairing, and while his offense may not remain steady all year, he's earned some fantasy value so far as a depth blueliner.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche win 10th straight, shut out Sharks 6-0

Nathan MacKinnon scored his NHL-leading 18th goal, Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 26 shots he faced and the red-hot Colorado Avalanche rolled past the San Jose Sharks 6-0 on Wedne...

NOVEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Colton, Olofsson score 1:19 apart, streaking Avs beat Islanders 4-1

Ross Colton and Victor Oloffson scored in a 1:19 span in the second period to help the streaking Colorado Avalanche beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Sunday night

NOVEMBER 17 • Associated Press

Necas has 2 goals, 2 assists as Avalanche beat Sabres 6-3 for 5th straight win

Martin Necas had two goals and two assists, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 on for their fifth straight win

NOVEMBER 14 • Associated Press

Pockets helper in win Malinski registered an assist in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Lightning.

Impact Malinski ended a three-game point drought with a helper on a Ross Colton goal in the second period, which was the game-winner. The 27-year-old Malinski has provided steady depth offense from a third-pairing role this year. He's up to one goal, five assists, 26 shots on net, 16 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through 14 appearances.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Valeri Nichushkin scores twice, Avalanche beat Blue Jackets 4-1 for fourth win of the season

Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals, Scott Wedgewood stopped 22 shots and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1

OCTOBER 17 • Associated Press

Nets goal in 100th career game Malinski scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Kings.

Impact Malinski skated in his 100th career game Tuesday, all of which have come with the Avalanche. The 27-year-old defenseman is facing a new challenge this season, playing on his off side as a right-shot blueliner on the left. He'll eventually be challenged by Ilya Solovyov for playing time once Solovyov's visa situation is resolved. Malinski had just 13:13 of ice time Tuesday and may be sheltered for a while as he adjusts to his new role. He had 15 points in 76 regular-season outings in 2024-25.

OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Necas scores 2 goals, and the Avalanche rout the Kings 4-1 in a dominant season opener

Martin Necas scored two goals, Nathan MacKinnon had two assists to become the leading scorer in Avalanche history, and Colorado opened the regular season with a 4-1 victory over th...

OCTOBER 8 • Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche Re-Sign Two Restricted Free Agents The Colorado Avalanche announced that they have re-signed restricted free agent (RFA) defenseman Sam Malinski to a one-year deal worth $1.4...

JULY 1 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Avalanche sign RFA defenseman Sam Malinski to one-year contract: report The Colorado Avalanche signed its more important restricted free agent the day before the market opens.

JUNE 30 • DENVERPOST.COM

Agrees to one-year contract Malinski signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Colorado on Monday, per PuckPedia.

Impact Malinski generated five goals, 15 points, 115 shots on net, 107 blocked shots and 57 hits across 76 games during the 2024-25 regular season. He could enter the 2025-26 campaign on Colorado's third pairing but proved capable of handling top-four minutes last campaign when injuries piled up.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Earns assist in playoff debut Malinski notched an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Impact This was Malinski's playoff debut after he sat out the first two games of the series in Dallas. He was still limited to 12:23 of ice time, but he was able to help out on a Valeri Nichushkin tally in the first period. Malinski had 15 points over 76 regular-season contests, but he earned three of those points over his last five outings of the campaign, so he may be able to build a little momentum if he stays in the lineup over Erik Johnson and Keaton Middleton.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up assist Sunday Malinski logged an assist and three shots on goal in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.

Impact Malinski again led the Avalanche with 25:15 of ice time. He's played well in a larger role over the last two games, earning a goal and an assist in that span, but he'll likely be back in the bottom four to begin the playoffs, as Cale Makar and Devon Toews will be back from their time off. Malinski had 15 points, 115 shots on net, 107 blocked shots, 57 hits and a plus-8 rating across 76 outings in the regular season. He should be favored to stay in the lineup over Erik Johnson during the postseason.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Coyle has goal and 2 assists as Avalanche score 4 in 3rd period to beat Ducks 4-2

Charlie Coyle had a goal and two assists in Colorado’s four-goal third period, and the Avalanche rallied to beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-2

APRIL 14 • Associated Press

Bends twine in loss Malinski scored a goal on four shots, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Kings.

Impact The Avalanche are down four defensemen between rest and injuries. Malinski stepped up to fill the void, leading the team with 23:46 of ice time in Saturday's contest, which was still close despite the Avalanche's numerous missing pieces. Malinski has scored twice in the last four games, and he has five goals, 14 points, 112 shots on net, 106 blocked shots, 57 hits and a plus-9 rating over 75 appearances this season. He'll likely see a big role again in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Ducks.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Bends twine in loss Malinski scored a goal on four shots, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Kings.

Impact The Avalanche are down four defensemen between rest and injuries. Malinski stepped up to fill the void, leading the team with 23:46 of ice time in Saturday's contest, which was still close despite the Avalanche's numerous missing pieces. Malinski has scored twice in the last four games, and he has five goals, 14 points, 112 shots on net, 106 blocked shots, 57 hits and a plus-9 rating over 75 appearances this season. He'll likely see a big role again in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Ducks.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Fiala scores 2 goals, and the LA Kings hold off the Avalanche 5-4

Kevin Fiala scored two goals for the second straight game, and Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists apiece in the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-4 victory over the...

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Puts home late goal Malinski scored a goal and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Blues.

Impact Malinski ended a six-game point drought when he scored at 19:51 of the third period. The 26-year-old defenseman hasn't been consistent on offense this season, but he's getting an extended run in the lineup while Josh Manson (upper body) is out of action. Malinski has four goals, 13 points, 103 shots on net, 103 blocked shots, 56 hits and a plus-11 rating over 72 appearances in his first full NHL campaign.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Bolduc, Thomas spark Blues to 12th consecutive victory, 5-4 over Avalanche

Zack Bolduc scored two power-play goals, Robert Thomas added a goal and three assists, and the St. Louis Blues extended their franchise-best winning streak to 12 games with a 5-4 v...

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Tallies opening goal Malinski scored a goal, blocked two shots and dished out two hits in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win against the Canadiens.

Impact Malinski found the back of the net for the opening goal of Saturday's contest off feeds from third-line forwards Joel Kiviranta and Ross Colton. The 26-year-old Malinski is up to three goals, 12 points and 94 blocks in 65 appearances this season. His tally Saturday is the second time this season he's registered points in back-to-back games. Despite receiving limited ice time in a second defensive pairing role, Malinski is heating up with five points in his last six games. He has quiet value in deeper fantasy leagues due to his current momentum.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Brock Nelson delivers shootout winner to send the Avalanche past the Canadiens 5-4

Brock Nelson scored the shootout winner in the fourth round as the Colorado Avalanche spoiled a third-period comeback try by Montreal and beat the Canadiens 5-4

MARCH 23 • Associated Press

Picks up assist in win Malinski logged an assist, two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.

Impact Malinski has played in three straight games, and he has four helpers and a plus-7 rating over six outings in March. The 26-year-old defenseman's spot in the lineup is safe as long as both of Samuel Girard (lower body) and Josh Manson (upper body) are out. Malinski has found himself a healthy scratch at times this season, but he has a career-high 11 points with 88 shots on net, 92 blocked shots, 49 hits and a plus-11 rating over 64 appearances.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

First multi-pointer since Jan. 2024 Malinski picked up two assists in a 7-4 win over Toronto on Saturday.

Impact It was Malinski's first multi-point game of the season, and his first since Jan. 16, 2024. He won't help you on the offensive side of the ledger -- he has just two goals and seven assists in 60 games this season. But Malinski does know how to get in front of pucks. He has 86 this year, including 18 in his last nine contests.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE