"Rifai is working his way back from wrist surgery that has kept him sidelined for the entire season to date, and was placed on waivers on Sunday in order to report back to the American Hockey League. The 27-year-old defenceman has played in one game for the Marlies this season and had 13 points in 63 games for the AHL squad in 2024-25."
"Rifai has been under contract in the Maple Leafs' organization since 2022-23 but has never really gotten a shot in the NHL, with two games of action in 2023-24 and nothing since then. In those two games, however, he was sturdy and didn't draw any attention to his game, which is always key in evaluating a rookie NHL defenceman."
"With the amount of injuries the Maple Leafs have seen pile up both up front and on the defensive corps, Rifai could be one of the next people who gets a look under head coach Craig Berube. Rifai's game has always been centred around low-event, physical hockey, which fits right in with what Berube looks for, specifically from his defencemen."
Marshall Rifai cleared waivers and will report to the Toronto Marlies while he continues his recovery from wrist surgery that sidelined him for the season. The 27-year-old defenceman was placed on waivers to return to the American Hockey League and has played one game for the Marlies this season. He recorded 13 points in 63 AHL games in 2024-25. Rifai has been in the Maple Leafs organization since 2022-23 and has two NHL games of experience from 2023-24. He signed a two-year extension in July 2024 at $775,000 annually through 2026-27. His low-event, physical style could fit coach Craig Berube's defensive preferences, and injuries on the roster could create an opportunity for NHL ice time.
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