TORONTO — Sam Malinski has ascended to a new level this season with the Colorado Avalanche. His wallet will be much thicker because of it.

Right as practice was wrapping up Tuesday in Toronto, the Avalanche said they had signed the 27-year-old defenseman to a four-year, $19 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The contract keeps Malinski in Denver until 2030 and prevents him from hitting the open market July 1.

As he entered the locker room with his teammates congratulating him, Malinski couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

“(I’m) just excited and happy to get it done kind of earlier rather than later,” he said.

The defenseman said the two sides had been talking about an extension for the last few weeks. There was a temptation for Malinski to hit free agency in the summer and talk to every team in the NHL, but he wasn’t interested in doing that. He knew where he wanted to be.

“I knew right away,” he said. “I love Colorado. I love all the guys on this team. The way the coaching staff has treated me, management and just everyone in Colorado. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here. I always knew I wanted to stay here.”

And his teammates are happy to have him stick around.

“Seeing the progress that he’s had every single year and the confidence that he’s gained in himself is spectacular,” fellow defesneman Cale Makar said. “I think the sky’s the ceiling for him, and he’s capable of a lot of great things, in my opinion. I’m just excited to see him continue to grow and evolve his game even more because I think he’s going to be a huge piece for us going forward.”

Malinski already set career highs in points with 24 and assists with 21. He’s playing more this season than he has at any point in his NHL tenure. With Devon Toews out of the lineup, he’s been spending a lot of time with Makar on the top pair.

His coach is ecstatic with the growth he’s seen from Malinski.

“I think it’s well deserved,” Jared Bednar said. “He’s continuously getting better, year over year; month over month, really.”

Malinski knew coming out of college the Avalanche would be a perfect fit because of the way they play. Colorado wants their defense to be able to get up and join the play, an aspect where Malinski excels.

But you must play defense in the NHL. The Avalanche have entrusted Malinski with bigger minutes this season, which means tougher matchups and even some time penalty killing. He’s responded by playing fantastic hockey.

“The improvement of his defensive game for me this year, from the start of the year even to now for a long stretch has been really impressive,” Bednar said. “I think that part of his game is elevated for us this year with some of the guys out of the lineup and playing in different spots. He looks better and better now playing the left (side) than he did earlier in the year. He struggled with it a little bit, but now he’s comfortable.”

Now Malinski is able to get comfortable in Colorado, knowing that he’s locked in long term. It’s been a great fit on the ice, but that’s not the only reason he decided to resign with the Avalanche.

“More than anything, I think it’s the people that convinced me to stay,” he said.

News and notes

• Gabriel Landeskog skated for well over an hour Tuesday, taking part in the entire Avalanche practice before stepping aside when special teams work started. Bednar said Landeskog is making good progress and the team has not ruled out the possibility of him playing again before the Olympic break, which starts Feb. 4.
• Devon Toews also joined the team for practice, but he will not play Wednesday at Ottawa. He has not started taking contact yet. The Avalanche will recall a defenseman from the Colorado Eagles to fill the final roster spot.
• Ross Colton made it through the entire practice and Bednar did not rule him out for Wednesday’s game. Colton has missed each of the last two games.