An undrafted kid from Lakeville, Minnesota just signed a fully guaranteed $19 million contract with one of the NHL’s most decorated franchises.
Sam Malinski’s story is one of patience, work ethic, and a breakout 2025-26 season that nobody saw coming — and his financial future has followed suit.
Sam Malinski’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Jon Malinski |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1998 |
| Age (2026) | 27 |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Lakeville, Minnesota |
| Height / Weight | 5’11” / 190 lbs |
| Position | Defense (Right) |
| Current NHL Team | Colorado Avalanche |
| NHL Draft | Undrafted |
| Years Active (NHL) | 2023–present |
| Net Worth (2026, Est.) | ~$2 million |
| Current Salary | $1,400,000 (2025-26) |
| Upcoming Contract | 4 years / $19,000,000 (starts 2026-27) |
| Social Media | @sammalinski70 (Instagram) |
Early Life and Hockey Journey
Sam Malinski learned to skate at age two or three in Lakeville, Minnesota, a hockey-rich suburb of the Twin Cities that produces competitive players year after year. His path, though, was anything but straight.
Malinski played high school hockey at Lakeville South High School, graduating in 2017. He served as team captain during his senior season and helped the team make an appearance in the state tournament. He tallied 49 points in his final two seasons with the Cougars.
After high school, Malinski did not attract major college offers right away. He continued his junior career first with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders but finished out the year with the Bismarck Bobcats.
He posted 45 points (14 goals, 31 assists) and a plus-20 rating in 59 games with the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats in 2018-19, earning the NAHL Central Division Defenseman of the Year award.
That production convinced Cornell University to offer him a spot. Sam Malinski was halfway through his second year with Bismarck of the NAHL when he committed to Cornell in December of 2018.
The defenseman had never been to Ithaca, much less through the prestigious halls he walks today. But once the Big Red offered him a spot, he jumped at the opportunity.
At Cornell University, Malinski became one of the program’s most productive defensemen in years.
In his senior season, he earned All-Ivy League and All-ECAC Hockey First Team honors for the second consecutive season, becoming the first Cornell defenseman to earn consecutive All-ECAC Hockey First Team selections since Doug Murray in 2002 and 2003.
He concluded his senior season with 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists), the most by any Big Red blue-liner.
He was an All-American for Cornell University, where he served as team captain as a senior. Cornell’s 2023 NCAA Tournament run — which included a stunning 2-0 upset of defending champion Denver — put Malinski firmly on NHL scouts’ radars as a legitimate free agent target.
Career
The Avalanche signed Malinski as an undrafted college free agent on March 30, 2023. He instantly became a fan favorite with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, posting three goals and five points in seven games.
In 2023-24, Malinski split time between the AHL and NHL. In 2023-24, Malinski appeared in 46 AHL games and had 27 points.
He also got a taste of NHL action, making his debut with the Avalanche, where he played 23 games and had 10 points. His skating and puck-moving instincts were immediately apparent at the NHL level.
The following season, Malinski became an NHL regular. He dressed in 76 regular-season games and was mostly on the third pair. He went on to make his playoff debut in the first round series against the Dallas Stars.
Then came 2025-26 — the season that changed everything. Malinski has spent the past several weeks alongside Cale Makar on the top pair.
Through 82 appearances this season, Malinski had eight goals, 39 points, 158 shots on net, 92 blocked shots, and a plus-42 rating. He appeared in all 82 regular-season games, logging career highs across nearly every major statistical category.
His consistent play alongside Cale Makar established him as one of the most improved defensemen in the Western Conference, earning him a lucrative long-term commitment from the organization. Fans and analysts can track his full career statistics on Hockey-Reference.
Sam Malinski’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Sam Malinski has an estimated net worth of approximately $2 million.
His wealth comes almost entirely from his NHL contracts, as he only entered the league in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. That figure will grow substantially as his new $19 million deal begins in 2026-27.
Contract
Sam Malinski signed a 4-year, $19,000,000 contract with the Colorado Avalanche, including a $1,000,000 signing bonus, $19,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,750,000.
The deal was signed on January 27, 2026, and begins with the 2026-27 season, running through the 2029-30 season.
Clause details include: a full No-Trade Clause for 2026-27 and 2027-28; it converts to a Modified No-Trade Clause with a 10-team no-trade list for 2028-29 and a 6-team no-trade list for 2029-30.
Malinski’s new deal is worth $4.75 million per season, which will make him the fourth-highest-paid Colorado blue-liner under contract for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
General manager Chris MacFarland praised the signing, describing Malinski as “a hard-working defenseman who has great skating and puck-moving ability” and noting his commitment to the defensive side of the game. You can view the full contract breakdown on Spotrac.
Salary
Malinski entered 2025-26 on a one-year, $1.4 million contract that would have walked him right to UFA status.
His outstanding performance changed that quickly. He signed his four-year extension in January 2026, locking in $4,750,000 per season starting in 2026-27.
His salary arc is a textbook late-bloomer story: entry-level money in 2023, a modest bridge deal in 2025, and a fully guaranteed $19 million extension secured before even reaching unrestricted free agency. PuckPedia’s contract tracker provides a full breakdown of his annual obligations.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | Salary (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | ~$850,000 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | ~$850,000 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | $1,400,000 |
| 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,750,000 |
| 2027-28 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,750,000 |
| 2028-29 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,750,000 |
| 2029-30 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,750,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | TOI/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 23 | 2 | 8 | 10 | — | — | — |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 76 | 6 | 9 | 15 | +11 | 22 | 15:30 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 8 | 32 | 40 | +43 | 22 | 17:37 |
| NHL Career | Colorado Avalanche | 181 | 16 | 49 | 65 | +54 | 44 | 16:29 |
FAQs
What is Sam Malinski’s net worth?
Sam Malinski’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2 million. His total guaranteed NHL earnings through the end of his current contract approach $22.1 million, which will dramatically increase his wealth over the next four seasons.
What is Sam Malinski’s current NHL salary?
In 2025-26, Malinski earns $1,400,000 on a one-year contract. Starting in 2026-27, his salary jumps to $4,750,000 per season on a fully guaranteed four-year, $19,000,000 extension he signed with the Colorado Avalanche in January 2026.
Was Sam Malinski an NHL Draft pick?
No, Sam Malinski was never drafted. The Colorado Avalanche signed him as an undrafted college free agent directly from Cornell University on March 30, 2023, after he earned All-American honors as the Big Red’s team captain.
How many points did Sam Malinski score in the 2025-26 season?
Malinski posted 40 points (8 goals, 32 assists) in 82 games during the 2025-26 regular season. He also recorded a plus-43 rating and averaged 17:37 of ice time per game, both career highs.
Does Sam Malinski have any endorsement deals?
No verified endorsement deals for Sam Malinski have been publicly confirmed as of 2026. His rising profile following a breakout season and a new $19 million contract makes him a likely target for brand partnerships in the near future.
