Maple Leafs defenceman Marshall Rifai clears waivers

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Marshall Rifai has cleared waivers and will report to the Toronto Marlies, according to multiple sources.

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.

The Maple Leafs originally signed Rifai to a two-year extension worth $775,000 annually back in July 2024, which has him under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season. 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.

The Quebec native has been involved in some fireworks in the Leafs organization already, going back to last preseason when he fought Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky after throwing a hit that injured Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher. For the time being, he will report to the Marlies and get some games under his belt as he continues to work towards a chance from Treliving and Berube.

The Maple Leafs will play their last game of the calendar year when they host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.