How the Avalanche have taken advantage of college free agency to make up for lost picks

LOS ANGELES — Shortly after signing with the Colorado Avalanche earlier this month, former University of Michigan forward T.J. Hughes received a text from Sam Malinski. The Avalanche defenseman congratulated Hughes, a Hobey Baker finalist, on turning pro and told him he’d enjoy Colorado.He wouldn’t be the first college free agent to do well there. The 27-year-old Malinski, represented by the same agency as Hughes, started as an undrafted NCAA player, too. He signed with the Avalanche out of Cornell in 2023 and has developed into a top-four defenseman for a Stanley Cup contender. This year, he led all NHL defensemen with a +43 plus-minus rating and inked a four-year, $19 million extension. His path is about the best-case scenario for a college free agent.It’s one Hughes will try to follow.Advertisement