The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. 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. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Former Maple Leafs Goaltender Michael Hutchinson Signs Professional Tryout (PTO) with New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/former-maple-leafs-goaltender-michael-hutchinson-signs-professional-tryout-pto-with-new-jersey-devils-] PHOTOS: Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Gets Hockey-Card Ready at the NHLPA Upper Deck Rookie Showcase [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/photos-maple-leafs-easton-cowan-gets-hockey-card-ready-at-the-nhlpa-upper-deck-rookie-showcase] Alex Steeves Reunites with Notre Dame Teammates at Pro Camp Ahead of Huge Season with Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/alex-steeves-reunites-with-notre-dame-teammates-at-pro-camp-ahead-of-huge-season-with-maple-leafs] News from THN.com 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga] The Wraparound Show: Remembering Johnny Gaudreau [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/the-wraparound-show-remembering-johnny-gaudreau]
