Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs make two surprising roster moves ahead of trade deadline

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | By Chris Gerics | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 9:30 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a couple of roster moves and swapped some junior defensemen as the team gears up for Friday's trade deadline.

With the NHL trade deadline culminating on a frenetic March 7, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be one of the teams in play for one of several big names who can help their team.

The Leafs have to figure out both cap and roster space. On Monday, the team announced they had demoted defenseman Marshall Rifai to the Toronto Marlies and recalled defenseman Dakota Mermis.

Neither man has made much of an impact this season. Mermis has dealt with the aftermath of jaw surgery, and the AHL is the most likely home for Rifai at the current time.

Toronto's minor defensive swap

Both men make identical amounts salary wise, although Mermis is a free agent at the end of the season meanwhile Rifai is signed until 2027. The team was reportedly high on Rifai and want to keep him around, so it could be a matter of waiting for the right time.

Rifai was signed out of Harvard University and has played only two career games with the Maple Leafs. He's recorded zero points but is a plus-1 in 11:40 TOI.

Mermis signed as a free agent as part of several smaller signings this past offseason.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he's played in 75 career NHL games with four goals and eight assists with time spent in Arizona, New Jersey, Minnesota and Utah. He has not played a game for the Maple Leafs yet.

It's unknown if Mermis is going to play for the team, however with the injury concerns to Chris Tanev and their past injury woes, Mermis could potentially get a look in an emergency situation.

This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

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