The Colorado Avalanche got some major bit of business done on Tuesday by extending 27-year-old blueliner Sam Malinski. Malinski was on track to become a UFA next summer. But the four-year, $19 million deal effectively wipes out that possibility.
The Avs made a savvy move, getting a middle-pairing defenseman for under $5 million per season. With the way the cap dynamics are trending, the deal is both smart and shrewd.
But this extension isn’t just about keeping Malinski in the fold. Yes, we’ve talked about how good he’s been in Colorado. The undrafted defenseman has been a dream fit for the Avalanche. He’s been a rare gem found in the undrafted NCAA rough.
The move, nevertheless, hints at something bigger. Rather than trading Malinski, who could have drawn interest on the open market, the Avalanche are opening the door for another deal to happen.
Namely, we’re talking about trading Samuel Girard. In an earlier piece, I went into how Malinski and Girard are very similar types of blueliners, with Malinski potentially making Girard redundant in the Colorado organization.
While Malinski and Girard are the same age, the fit with Malinski has just been better. That’s why Malinski’s extension could open the door for the Avalanche to move Girard at the deadline.
If that’s the case, the Avalanche could get a nice return. The market is devoid of serviceable blueliners, making Girard a potentially profitable move. Trading Girard could allow the Avalanche to get back a key piece for the roster. Perhaps a more physical defenseman, someone more suited for the bottom pairing or decent middle-six forward.
Both possibilities, in addition to saving some cap space, could be on the mind of GM Chris MacFarland. Of course, that’s purely speculation now. But it does seem that signing Sam Malinski at this point is more about setting the stage for moves to come.
Makar’s next deal looms large on the horizon for Avalanche
The elephant in the room is Cale Makar’s next contract. The two-time Norris Trophy winner will be eligible to sign an extension on July 1. As such, the Avalanche will want to get a deal out of the way much sooner than expected.
According to PuckPedia, the Avalanche will have about $42 million in cap space to play with for the 2027-28 season, the first year of Makar’s next contract. As such, there’s no need for fans to lose sleep over the Avalanche fitting in Makar’s new deal. If anything, there should be enough room to keep the band together for the foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, Malinski’s extension was a major part in helping keep costs down. By signing him to a palatable deal, the Avalanche ensure that the potential cap space available won’t flutter away bit by bit.
Makar’s next contract undoubtedly looms over the Colorado Avalanche. But there’s no need to panic at this point. The club will be able to sign Makar, even if the math looks a little dicey right now. Unless Makar demands a record-breaking contract, which hopefully he won’t, everything should work out just fine.