"Just when the injury bug finally started to ease up on the Toronto Maple Leafs a little bit, they got hit with two more blows. First it was Dakota Mermis, who suffered a knee injury after a hit from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Goncalves on Monday, and then there was what appeared to be a right ankle injury suffered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday."
"Rifai may not have the NHL experience to prove it, but he plays the style of game that Berube and most head coaches appreciate. He's sturdy, he works his tail off, he's strong defensively and he'll stick up for his teammates. He won't provide much in the way of offence, but he's not the type of player you'll see the camera panned to after a bad goal against and you won't hear his name that often. For a defenceman with limited NHL experience, this is a good thing."
Two recent injuries further depleted Toronto's defensive depth: Dakota Mermis suffered a knee injury from a hit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson appeared to injure his right ankle. Ekman-Larsson is a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers despite significant pain, while Mermis will be sidelined for an extended period. The absences reduce available depth while Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo work back toward game form. Marshall Rifai is nearing a return after wrist surgery and has not played this season. Rifai plays a physical, defense-first game, provides toughness and reliability, and would offer a depth option despite limited NHL experience.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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