Maple Leafs Defenseman Leaves Game vs Canadiens With Upper-Body Injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost defenseman Marshall Rifai, ruled out due to an upper-body injury, the team announced.

Rifai did not return in the second period for Toronto against the Montreal Canadiens, with the reason why unknown, although he faced a hit along the board by Canadiens forward Joshua Roy earlier in the first period.

Rifai, 27, had 13 points in 63 AHL games for the Toronto Marlies last season. An undrafted free agent from Harvard, Rifai has appeared in two career NHL games for the Leafs.

Rifai, who has become a reliable defensive defenseman for the Marlies, is a big loss for the Leafs farm team who has seen Rifai be a reliable option for the club.

Toronto is already dealing with injury issues on their blueline as Simon Benoit remains out due to injury, with his return currently unknown for the time being.

Toronto is also without forwards Max Domi and William Nylander due to injuries, Domi dealing with a lower-body issue and Nylander out for maintenance reasons due to what is believed to be a minor issue.

It has been a preseason of difficulty for the Leafs who are looking to pencil in their roster and face challenges in being able to do so with uncertainties continuing to pop up.

One additional question mark has become goaltender Joseph Woll, out for personal reasons and another player who does not have a set return date.

The preseason growth of Dennis Hildeby is helping to alleviate the loss of Woll for the time being, but it will be a waiting game if Hildeby is ready to take on the backup role behind Anthony Stolarz.

In the case that Hildeby isn't ready, Toronto could look outside of their current options, with Connor Ingram having been placed on waivers by Utah earlier today, and free agents such as Ilya Samsonov and James Reimer, two former Leafs, available.