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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a move to solidify their defensive organizational depth on Thursday, signing defenseman Marshall Rifai to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension beginning in the 2025-26 season.
The 26-year-old blueliner had 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 57 games with the Toronto Marlies last season and made his NHL debut, playing two games for the Leafs in February. The Beaconsfield, QC native was signed an undrafted free agent in 2022 after three seasons at Harvard University.
The move was not a front-burner item, but likely reflects the Leafs desire to retain Rifai even though it is not likely that he will crack the club’s NHL roster. The signing adding two years on a one-way deal making $775,000 will act as a deterrent to teams potentially interested in a waiver claim before the season next month. A player on a two-way deal entering the final year of his ELC is a much more attractive commodity.
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The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on the ongoing Nick Robertson stalemate on TSN 1050’s Overdrive on Thursday and indicated that the restricted free agent is currently working out at home and not in Toronto as many of the Leafs players are currently doing in preparation for the start of training camp later this month.
LeBrun said at this point there has been no chance in Robertson’s wish to play elsewhere but there appears to be no rush on the part of Leafs GM Brad Treliving to trade the 22-year-old winger, who was healthy all of last season and scored 14 goals in limited ice time in 56 games.
With the departure of Tyler Bertruzzi in free agency, Toronto is currently thin on the left side, with Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann the likely top-six left-wingers to start the season. Robertson has an opportunity to carve out a second-or-third line role under new head coach Craig Berube.
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