Why the Maple Leafs Signed Defenseman Marshall Rifai to a Two-Year Extension

Rifai is entering the second year of a similar deal — a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000 — he signed in July 2023.

Marshall Rifai will be sticking around in the Maple Leafs organization for the foreseeable future.

The Maple Leafs announced on Thursday afternoon that the club has signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a two-year contract, beginning in the 2025-26 season, with an annual average value of $775,000.

Rifai joined the Maple Leafs organization in March 2022, signing an AHL contract with the Marlies for the 2022-23 season. He joined the squad immediately on a professional try-out after signing the contract.

The Beaconsfield, Quebec, native is an undrafted defenseman who spent four years at Harvard University. He played 61 games at the school, tallying six goals and 15 assists.

After just one season in the AHL with the Marlies, the Maple Leafs signed Rifai to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000, the same cap hit he'll have on his next contract.

The defenseman made his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 19 and played another game with the Maple Leafs a couple of days later against the Arizona Coyotes. Rifai didn't register a point but averaged 11:40 of ice time through two games with Toronto.

He's been one of the Marlies' top defensemen throughout the last two seasons. Through 126 AHL games, Rifai has six goals and 29 assists, while being arguably the most relied-upon defender on AHL Toronto.

Rifai will enter Maple Leafs training camp in the next few weeks eyeing a spot on Toronto's opening night roster. He'll be up against likely Conor Timmins, Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Nicolas Mattinen, and Cade Webber for one of the final defense spots.

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