The Leafs placed Marshall Rifai on waivers yesterday to the surprise of many, but his contract structure may prevent teams from claiming him.
Rifai was placed on waivers yesterday along with Matt Murray and a number of other players including a handful of former Maple Leafs. Rifai signed a two-year extension with the Leafs just before training camp, however, it appears to be a strategic move by GM Brad Treliving.
Much like they did with Murray’s contract structure, Rifai’s extension is a deterrent for teams who may have considered claiming him on waivers.
Although he doesn’t have the bonus that Murray does that is due to him a day after the start of the season, Rifai’s extension doesn’t actually kick in until next season and the Leafs are hoping that the additional year will prevent them from losing the 26-year-old on waivers.
Rifai had a very good camp according to many around the Leafs, but fell victim to the depth the Leafs currently have on the blueline with Conor Timmins and Timothy Liljegren still ahead of him and battling for the seventh spot on the blueline.
Rifai’s extension carries at $775K cap hit and given that it is a one-way deal, he will be paid that same amount in the minors when his it kicks in. The extension is once again the Leafs flexing their financial muscle. He made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 2 games for the Maple Leafs. Most of his time was spent with the Toronto Marlies, where he recorded 2 goals and 19 points in 57 games.
The 6’2, 205-pound defenseman is a smooth skater that likes to play a physical style which fits the mold of the defense core that GM Brad Treliving is attempting to construct. Whether Rifai clears or not won’t be known until shortly before 2PM Eastern time Monday, but the hope is that his 2-year extension will allow him to slip through the cracks and be assigned to the Toronto Marlies.
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