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Wrist Injury Derails Leafs Defenseman's Season; Surgery Required
Photo credit: David Kirouac | Imagn Images
The Leafs' received unfortunate news on Friday following additional tests on one of their defensemen that revealed he will miss significant time and will need surgery.
Already without Simon Benoit as he deals with an upper-body injury, the Leafs lost another defenseman early in their 7-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday evening.
Midway through the first period, blueliner Marshall Rifai was being chased in the Leafs' zone before skating up the boards and backhanding the puck to center. In the process, he took a hit that seemed to mostly impact his arm.
Shortly after, the Leafs announced the 27-year-old would not return to the game and they did not provide an update after the win.
Marshall Rifai Out Indefinitely and Set to Undergo Surgery
After practice on Friday, head coach Craig Berube provided an unfortunate update on the injury of the undrafted defenseman, revealing that he would require surgery and would miss an extensive amount of time recovering.
Signed to a two-year extension last year, Rifai spent all of last season with the Toronto Marlies, but has been seen by many as a serviceable bottom-pairing or seventh defenseman in the NHL.
In a battle with Henry Thrun and Philippe Myers for one of those final roster spots, Rifai's season has unfortunately been derailed before it even begins.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 1070 ANSWERS Wrist Injury Derails Leafs Defenseman's Season; Surgery Required Do you think Marshall Rifai is capable of being a 7th defenseman at the NHL level? | ||
| Yes | 553 | 51.7 % |
| No | 234 | 21.9 % |
| Maybe, I haven't seen much of Thrun though | 283 | 26.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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