Colorado Avalanche might not call up Sam Malinski again for a while

Earlier in the 2023-24 NHL season, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski impressed a lot of Avs fans, including myself, with his play. In 23 games as a call-up, Malinski had three goals and seven assists on 31 shots to go along with a plus-minus of +3. He had an average time on ice of 14:14 per game.

Not only that, though—his style of play that the Colorado Avalanche seek in their players was fitting. Often, I kept wondering when Malinski would be called up to the Avalanche from the Colorado Eagles again. It surprised me a great deal that he hadn’t been on the Avalanche’s roster since the middle of January.

Some people even called him a second Cale Makar—one of the greatest compliments a defenseman could receive, especially at 25 years old (Makar is also 25 years old).

Unfortunately, it appears that things aren’t going that well for Malinski with the Colorado Eagles down in Loveland. According to Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com, Malinski doesn’t appear to be playing very aggressively lately. Vogt suggests that the fact that Malinski was sent down to the Eagles could be playing a factor in his performance lately.

Thankfully, this sort of thing has a way of playing itself out. I don’t think that it’s a whole lot to worry about. Malinski will just have to find a way to get out of the slump he is in. At the end of the day, tons of players get called up and sent down during the course of the NHL’s 82-game regular season. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Malinski this season, but of course, that is the call from Head Coach Jared Bednar.

I still have high hopes for Malinski. I think that he’ll have a spot on the Avalanche roster next season, as Jack Johnson and Sean Walker are set to be free agents.