"After Thursday night's games wrapped up, the entire NHL started its break for the 2026 Winter Olympics. No hockey will be played in this league until after the gold medal is handed out and we all get to either complain about Mitch Marner causing Canada to lose, or try to be happy about a team we like winning it all. One league that will be still going on is the AHL and the Maple Leafs are using that to get a defenseman some ice-time."
"Rifai missed the first few months of the season as he was recovering from an injury but made his return to the ice for the Marlies in late December and played a total of 12 games for them until he was recalled by the Leafs last month. Now, Rifai will continue his hockey schedule as the Marlies are in action Saturday, hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds."
The NHL paused for the 2026 Winter Olympics while the AHL continues play. The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned 27-year-old defenseman Marshall Rifai to the Toronto Marlies during the break to give him game minutes. Rifai missed the first months of the season recovering from an injury, returned to the Marlies in late December and played 12 games before an NHL recall last month. The Marlies face the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday, offering Rifai a chance to stay game-ready for the final 25 NHL games. Toronto appears likely to sell assets before the March 6 trade deadline, with several defensemen in trade rumours.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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