Toronto Maple Leafs Send Defenseman Marshall Rifai to AHL for Further Development and Depth Management
The Maple Leafs have sent defenseman Marshall Rifai back to AHL Toronto on Wednesday, as stated in a club announcement. Toronto currently has an available roster position, which may be utilized to activate fellow defenseman Jake McCabe from injured reserve before Thursday’s match against the Devils.
Rifai, 26, had been part of Toronto’s team since January 6. Acting as an additional defender while McCabe was unavailable, he was left out for all four games upon his return.
The 6’2″, 213-pound left-handed player has been called up from the AHL on three occasions since passing through waivers in training camp, but none have led to any game participation. He made just two NHL appearances with the Leafs last season, achieving a plus-one rating, a shot on goal, and four hits while averaging 11:40 of ice time.
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Signed as an undrafted free agent to an AHL deal from Harvard in 2022, Rifai has steadily progressed up the organizational hierarchy over the last three years. The fiery defender’s ongoing growth in the minors and impressive training camp displays led to a two-year, one-way extension valued at $1.55MM in September. Although he hasn’t received any opportunities this season, the Leafs still foresee him participating in games for them down the line.
In the time between call-ups, Rifai has recorded two goals, two assists, four points, 24 PIMs, and a plus-eight rating over 26 AHL games. He’s taking on the role of an alternate captain for the first time.
McCabe, 31, has been sidelined for four games due to an upper-body injury he incurred on January 5 against the Flyers after hitting his head on the ice during a clash with Garnet Hathaway. Since the start of December, he has sustained two upper-body injuries, both believed to be concussions.
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