Leafs assign Marshall Rifai to AHL on conditioning loan

Rifai has been out of commission since late September after undergoing wrist surgery. Head coach Craig Berube stated that Rifai was hurt during the Leafs’ preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 25. played less than five minutes across nine shifts in Toronto’s 7-2 victory over its Original Six rival. Rifai was credited with one shot on goal, as well as a hit. It was just the second appearance in the preseason for the 27-year-old, as he also played against the rival Ottawa Senators the weekend before. Along with throwing a hard hit to Senators forward Ridly Greig, the Beaconsfield, Que. native had to answer to some on-ice critics, dropping the gloves with Drake Batherson, and later Zack McEwen.

Even though he didn’t appear in any games last season, Rifai was called up to the Leafs a few times. His lone bit of NHL experience came in February of the 2023-24 season, playing two games with the big club.

Rifai has spent most of his pro career with the Marlies. After posting a career-high 19 points two years ago, Rifai posted three goals and 10 assists for 13 points during the 2024-25 season, registering a plus/minus of +9 in 63 games. In 189 career AHL regular-season contests, he has potted nine goals and 39 assists for 48 points, with another five points coming in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games.

The former Harvard product is entering the first year of a two-year contract extension he signed with the Leafs in September 2024. The deal carries an NHL cap hit of $775,000 through the 2026-27 campaign.

The Marlies (12-12-1-1) sit fourth in the AHL’s North Division. They are scheduled to host the Belleville Senators on Saturday afternoon.