The Avs are trying to rebuild their farm system.
Cornell hockey defenseman Sam Malinski signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche on Thursday morning, the second NCAA free agent to sign with the organization in as many days.
Like Western Michigan’s Jason Polin, who signed Wednesday, Malinski was his college team’s captain during the 2022-23 season. He led Cornell to a 2-0-first-round upset of the DU Pioneers in the NCAA Regional this month.
The Avalanche’s prospect pool was ranked last in the NHL by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler in January, a natural toll taken by Colorado’s all-in approach to win the 2022 Stanley Cup championship.