It’s well documented that the Avalanche are using training camp and preseason as competition for ice time on the third defense pair. Colorado’s top four is set in stone, but three newcomers are among the four blueliners competing for the other two spots.
The last of the group is 26-year-old Sam Malinski. And at the halfway mark of the preseason, the second-year Av has stood out among the rest.
“I feel good,” he said following the Avs’ 6-3 loss to Utah Hockey Club. “I think it’s been really good for me to figure out what I need to work on as far as little details and getting back to game speed.”
Malinski was one of Colorado’s best on Sunday. One of the highlights for the Avs was his beautiful power-play tally, where he went end-to-end, rushed the puck up the ice, and put it past Karel Vejmelka after beating the defender wide.
He finished the game with a goal, an assist, and two shots in 19:19. Malinski also made a nice pass to set Calum Ritchie up for his breakaway goal.
Sam “Speedy” Malinski #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/WMYBE6Xl2i
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) September 30, 2024
Malinski said last week that his goal for camp was to not worry about the competition and instead do his part to earn ice time. He also spoke about his grueling off-season routine and achieving his goal of putting on some weight.
Head coach Bednar also referenced the added size, which has helped Malinksi play a heavier game throughout camp.
“He’s been consistently good through the whole camp,” Bednar said. “He looks bigger and stronger and more physical in the battles, more confident because of that.”
An undrafted College free agent signing, Malinski is a right-shot puck-moving defenseman who played well in his 23 appearances with the Avs last season. He showed flashes of his offensive game, scoring three goals and adding seven assists while also pitching in on the power play.
But his safe, two-way game made him an easy favorite for Bednar. Despite spending most of the season in the AHL, Malinski was ultimately Colorado’s No. 7 defenseman for most of 2023-24. They had Caleb Jones healthy scratched throughout the regular season but often called up Malinski to play ahead of Jones when a spot opened up.
“We all liked his puck play and what he can do with the puck even when he came last year,” Bednar said. “So I think he’s continued that and gotten better in some areas.”
Among the others competing for a spot, Calvin de Haan has so far looked like the best option to play with Malinski. Both Oliver Kylington and Erik Brannstrom dressed in Sunday’s loss to Utah Hockey Club at Ball Arena. And through two games, the two haven’t been consistent enough. At least not yet.
Kylington had a late start to training camp after dealing with visa issues. But we’re well past that now.
He’s got plenty of time to turn things around. So does Brannstrom. But so far, it would be hard to not start Malinski as your third right-shot defenseman on opening night. After that? Everything is up for grabs.
We’ll see how things shake out by Oct. 9.
“We might keep eight [defensemen],” Bednar said. “We have the ability to keep eight depending on how the forward situation stacks up.”