Maple Leafs recall defenseman Marshall Rifai ahead of Panthers clash

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to deal with injuries, and on Monday they made a move ahead of their critical showdown with the Florida Panthers.

With Mitch Marner already recovering from an injury, the last thing the Maple Leafs needed was another injury, but now it appears Morgan Rielly is set to miss his fourth straight game against the Florida Panthers on Monday.

Now, the Maple Leafs have made an emergency recall, with Marshall Rifai set to join the roster ahead of the Atlantic Division clash with the Florida Panthers on Monday night.

Rifai, a 26-year old undrafted defenseman has made a solid impact for the Marlies over the past two seasons, even finding himself on the Maple Leafs for two games this season, going pointless in those two games. Standing at 6-foot exactly and weighing 185 pounds, Rifai has a balanced game on both ends of the ice, notching 33 points in 118 games with the Marlies, and may now get his shot to impress at the top level again.

Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has now revealed that Rielly is close to 100% and ready to return, so it's unlikely that Rifai will get an extended look at the NHL, but this is just another great example of the depth that this team has ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Source: Hockey Patrol

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