Sam Malinski - NHL News & Rumors

Stuck in drought Malinski was held off the scoresheet for the 17th game in a row Saturday in a 5-2 win over the Predators.

Impact Malinski has moved up the depth chart in that time due to the injury absences of Josh Manson (upper body) and Oliver Kylington (upper body). Still, the larger role isn't leading to more offense. Malinski has four points, 45 shots on net, 50 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 32 appearances, down from the 10 points he put up over 23 regular-season outings last year.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in Saturday's win Malinski scored a goal, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Malinski snapped a four-game point drought with his first goal of the campaign. The 26-year-old defenseman has held onto a third-pairing role all season, and the Avalanche's lone change on the blue line Saturday was to bring in John Ludvig for Calvin de Haan, which suggests Malinski has some job security. Overall, Malinski has four points, 19 shots on net, 16 blocked shots, eight hits and a minus-2 rating over 15 appearances.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Adds assist in loss Malinski notched an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

Impact This was Malinski's third helper in the last four games, which is all of his offense this season. The 26-year-old is doing well to maintain a spot on the third pairing, though it's come with only sporadic power-play time and limited minutes overall. Malinski is averaging 15:26 of ice time while supplying 13 shots on net, 11 blocked shots, six hits and a plus-1 rating across 10 appearances.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Helpers in back-to-back games Malinski notched an assist and three blocked shots in Thursday's 5-1 win over Utah.

Impact Malinski has a helper in each of the last two games after starting the season quiet. The 26-year-old defenseman has seen his ice time drop since Devon Toews returned from a lower-body injury, but Malinski has maintained his spot on the third pairing. Overall, Malinski has two assists, 11 shots on net, nine blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over eight contests.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Generates assist Tuesday Malinski logged an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Kraken.

Impact The helper was Malinski's first point of the season, but it's been his steady play on the third pairing that's kept him in the lineup. The Avalanche have often rotated Calvin de Haan, Oliver Kylington or John Ludvig out of the lineup, while Malinski has played in all seven games. Malinski has 10 shots on net, six blocked shots, three hits and a minus-1 rating while averaging 15:44 of ice time per contest.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Pushing for roster spot Malinski scored a goal on two shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-1 preseason win over the Golden Knights.

Impact Malinski's goal was his second tally and third point over three preseason contests. The 26-year-old featured on the top pairing Thursday, though he'll strictly be a third-pairing option to begin the year if he makes the roster. Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette notes that Malinski seems to have surpassed Oliver Kylington in the battle for the last spot on the blue line based on preseason play. In limited NHL action last year, Malinski produced 10 points, 31 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over 23 appearances.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled Monday Malinski was promoted from AHL Colorado on Monday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Malinski scored 10 points in 23 games with the Avalanche this season but hasn't made an NHL appearance since Feb. 6. He'll provide the team with some extra depth this postseason.

APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back down Malinski was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.

Impact Malinski was scratched for Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Panthers. It was his third scratch in four games since the All-Star break, so it's no surprise he's going down to the Eagles to get some playing time. Malinski has emerged as the top call-up option when the Avalanche need reinforcements.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Suits up Tuesday Malinski had two shots on net and two blocks over 12:17 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to New Jersey.

Impact Malinski was called up earlier this week and joined Colorado on its post-break road trip. He didn't play in Monday's loss to the Rangers but took Jack Johnson's spot on the blue line Tuesday. It appears to be part of a defensive rotation the Avalanche plan to deploy down the stretch, according to Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now. Johnson is poised to see work against the more physical opponents, while Malinski could get starts against foes deemed less heavy. The 25-year-old Malinski has forced his way into the mix over 23 games with 10 points (three goals), including a goal and an assist on the power play.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from AHL Malinski was recalled from AHL Colorado on Monday.

Impact Malinski has contributed three goals, 10 points, 29 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and 13 hits over 22 NHL appearances this season. He also has four goals and 13 points in 22 AHL contests this campaign.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Reassigned to minors Malinski was demoted to AHL Colorado on Friday.

Impact Malinski has 10 points through 22 NHL games this season, including three over his last four appearances. He was demoted to make room for Zach Parise, who signed with the Avalanche on Friday.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Points in three straight Malinski had an assist, two shots and one block over 13:00 of ice time in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Flyers.

Impact Malinski's assist on the first of three Logan O'Connor goals extended his point streak to three games. Bowen Byram's continued absence due to a lower-body injury -- he's missed eight games -- has provided an opportunity for Malinski, who has two goals and three assists since filling in for Byram.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist in loss Malinski had an assist, one shot and two hits over 13:44 of ice time in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Bruins.

Impact Malinski picked up the secondary helper on Miles Wood's first-period strike, seconds after a power play expired. The young defenseman has three points over the last two games and hopes to continue that streak Saturday in Philadelphia. His presence in the lineup could depend on the status of Bowen Byram (lower body), who is skating with the team but missed a seventh straight contest Thursday.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Scores on power play Malinski scored a power-play goal and had an even-strength assist in Tuesday's 7-4 win over Ottawa. He added two shots, one block and one hit to his line over 17:17 of ice time.

Impact Malinski set up Colorado's second goal with a stretch pass that resulted in Jason Polin's first NHL tally. He then potted the game-winner one second before the Avalanche's man-advantage ended. His wrist shot eluded Mads Sogaard, who lost his stick on the play. The two-point effort was Malinski's second and gave the 25-year-old blueliner eight points through 19 games. He should stick around until Bowen Byram (lower body) is ready to play. Byram was given a seven-to-14 day timeline back on Jan 7.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Lights lamp Monday Malinski scored a goal and blocked two shots in Monday's 4-3 shootout win over the Bruins.

Impact Malinski was called up with Josh Manson (undisclosed) questionable going into the game, and the former got into the lineup when the latter couldn't play. The goal was Malinski's second of the season, snapping a four-game point drought from before he was sent down at the end of December. The 25-year-old has added four assists, 16 shots on net, 17 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 15 appearances. He'll likely continue to bounce between levels, but he's clearly the Avalanche's top call-up option when they need blue-line help.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from minors Malinski was recalled from AHL Colorado on Monday.

Impact Malinski saw action in 13 games during December while with the Avs, recording one goal on 14 shots, four assists and 15 blocks while averaging 14:21 of ice time. The 25-year-old Minnesota native's promotion is likely just to provide an extra depth option for the team, meaning he would only get into Monday's clash with Boston is there was an injury among the defensive corp.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped to AHL Malinski was reassigned to AHL Colorado after Friday's win over St. Louis, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Impact Malinski put one shot on goal while logging 13:53 of ice time in Friday's contest. He could be promoted again before Sunday's game against the Sharks unless Samuel Girard (personal) is ready to return. Malinski has five points in 14 games this season.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Generates helper Malinski logged a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

Impact Malinski helped out on Valeri Nichushkin's second goal of the game. With Cale Makar (lower body) sidelined by a lingering lower-body issue, Malinski has worked his way into a role on the second power-play unit. The 25-year-old is up to five points, 11 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through 10 contests overall, so it appears Malinski could stick in the NHL for a bit.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second helper Malinski recorded an assist in Monday's 6-5 win over the Flames.

Impact Malinski posted his second helper over the last three games. The 25-year-old has seemingly leaped over Caleb Jones on the depth chart, though Malinski has seen less than 15 minutes of ice time in each of his last three outings. He's added six shots on net, seven blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through six appearances this season.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rises from AHL Malinski was called up from AHL Colorado on Wednesday, Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com reports.

Impact Malinski's promotion may just be to give the Avalanche extra depth on the blue line. The Avalanche have three games between Thursday and Sunday, all on the road, but it's unclear if the 25-year-old will play during this stint on the NHL roster. He logged 12:02 of ice time versus the Kraken in his debut Nov. 13.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back down Malinski was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Wednesday.

Impact Samuel Girard is good to go for Wednesday's game versus the Ducks, so Malinski was no longer needed on the active roster. Malinski made his NHL debut Monday versus the Kraken, posting one shot on goal, one hit and a plus-1 rating in 12:02 of ice time.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up Wednesday Malinski was elevated from AHL Colorado on Wednesday.

Impact Malinski rejoins the Avs ahead of Wednesday's clash with the Ducks, a move that likely indicates both Samuel Girard (undisclosed) and Josh Manson (undisclosed) won't be ready to play. In his NHL season debut Monday, the 25-year-old Malinski registered one shot, one hit and a plus-1 rating in 12:02 of ice time.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to AHL Malinski was reassigned to the minors Tuesday.

Impact Malinski played just 12:02 of ice time versus the Kraken on Monday. If either Samuel Girard (undisclosed) and Josh Manson (undisclosed) are available to play in Wednesday's matchup with Anaheim, Malinski will likely remain with AHL Colorado. Still, the 25-year-old Malinski should remain atop the shortlist of potential call-ups following his six points in 13 minor-league contests.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted from AHL Malinski was recalled from AHL Colorado on Sunday.

Impact Malinski signed an entry-level deal last season after a three-year career at Cornell University. The 25-year-old blueliner has three goals and six points in 13 AHL games this season.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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