Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some adjustments on defense with two new roster moves, the team has announced.
Returning from injury, Mermis was placed on waivers and went unclaimed. The 32-year-old had played in 11 games for the Leafs this season.
Mermis was waived after being activated off of long-term injured reserve, but remains in the organization as additional defensive depth.
Toronto made an additional move along with the official announcement of Mermis, the Leafs also announced that Henry Thrun was assigned to the AHL, while Marshall Rifai was recalled up to the NHL.
Toronto Maple Leafs recall Rifai, assign Thrun to Minors
The Toronto Maple Leafs swap their defensive depth, with the older, more defensively oriented Rifai coming in for Thrun.
Despite being three years older, Thrun has the advantage in NHL experience, with 123 games played vs just two for Rifai, but despite having been mostly in the majors, Rifai is still regarded for his physicality and defensive IQ as tools keeping him with chances at the NHL level.
Thrun, 24, has appeared in four games for the Leafs this season. The left-handed defenseman has spent the majority of the season with the Marlies, with three goals and 14 points in 28 games this season.
Rifai, 27, has played in 12 games this season in the AHL for the Marlies. Rifai, also a LHD, has not appeared this season for the Leafs, last playing two games in the 2023-24 season.
‘The Athletic’ Leafs writer Joshua Kloke expressed some personal optimism about Rifai potentially getting into the roster for a game between now and the Olympics break.
Thrun did not play in Toronto’s 7-4 loss Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Toronto Maple Leafs play the Seattle Kraken tomorrow. It’s unknown as of yet if Rifai will play.
Previously on Hockey Patrol