By the time Malinski could finally play another organized game in the fall of 2021, then he was one of the team's leaders and took over as the key offensive contributor from the blueline.

While leading the blueliners in points, Malinski also helped the team act as its typical defensive juggernaut and had the Big Red ranked in the top 10 at the end of January.

More importantly, Malinski helped stymie Denver in the regional semifinal, allowing Cornell to upset the #4 overall seed with a 2–0 shutout.

Malinski's outstanding career at Cornell convinced the Colorado Avalanche to sign him to a two-year, entry-level contract on March 30, 2023.

[6] He recorded his first NHL point, a secondary assist on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, in a 4–2 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets on December 7, 2023.