The Colorado Avalanche have locked up an emerging member of their D core.
Sam Malinski signed a four-year contract extension that keeps him with the club through the 2029-30 season, the Avalanche announced on Tuesday.
The Avalanche will pay Malinski $4.75 million per season, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported.
Malinski, 27, has career highs in assists (21) and points (24) through 50 games this season. His three goals are also two shy of the personal best he achieved last season.
The Lakeville, Minn., native has logged 16:31 of ice time per game with all but two of his points coming at even strength.
"Sam is a hard-working defenceman who has great skating and puck-moving ability," Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. "His commitment to the defensive side of the game has turned him into a reliable defenceman for us. We're excited to have him under contract for the following four seasons."
Malinski originally joined the Avalanche as an undrafted college free agent in March 2023 before making his NHL debut the following November.
In 149 career games, he's posted 11 goals and 38 assists. Across 46 AHL contests last season, the right-shooting Malinski recorded five goals and 22 assists.
The signing marks another instance where the Avalanche have rewarded an up-and-coming player this season. In November, Gavin Brindley signed a two-year contract extension less than 48 hours after scoring his first NHL overtime winner. The five-foot-eight, 173-pound Brindley was acquired by Colorado on June 27 as part of a deal that sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus.
Three months ago, the Avalanche signed Martin Necas to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension through 2034.
--with files from The Associated Press
0:35
col