Malinski was promoted from AHL Colorado on Monday, per CapFriendly.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Sent back down
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Malinski was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Saturday.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Suits up Tuesday
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Malinski had two shots on net and two blocks over 12:17 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to New Jersey.
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. The switch 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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Reassigned to minors
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Malinski was demoted to AHL Colorado on Friday.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Scores on power play
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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.
Malinski set up Colorado's second goal with a stretch pass that resulted in Jason Polin's first NHL tally. Malinski 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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Lights lamp Monday
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Malinski scored a goal and blocked two shots in Monday's 4-3 shootout win over the Bruins.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Generates helper
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Malinski logged a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Blackhawks.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Picks up second helper
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Malinski recorded an assist in Monday's 6-5 win over the Flames.
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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Sent back down
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Malinski was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Wednesday.
Samuel Girard (undisclosed) 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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Called up Wednesday
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Malinski was elevated from AHL Colorado on Wednesday.
Malinski rejoins the Avalanche 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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Sent back to AHL
Rotowire
Malinski was reassigned to the minors Tuesday.
Malinski played just 12:02 of ice time versus the Kraken on Monday. If either Samuel Girard (undisclosed) or 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.
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Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Promoted from AHL
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Malinski was recalled from AHL Colorado on Sunday.
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.