Maple Leafs Put Tanev on IR, Call Up Rifai
Toronto placed defenseman Chris Tanev on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 10 after he left Saturday's game against Colorado with an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs recalled Marshall Rifai from the AHL Marlies, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson took a maintenance day. Tanev, 36, had one assist and averaged 16:51 of ice time in six games this season.
Toronto’s blue line loses Tanev after he exited Saturday’s Colorado game in the opening period with an upper-body issue. His IR placement is backdated to Oct. 10. The 36-year-old has one helper and 16:51 average ice time across six outings this year; a concussion restricted him to 11 games in 2025-26.
Rifai, from Beaconsfield, Que., has played most of five pro seasons with the Marlies, posting 53 points and 300 penalty minutes in 212 AHL regular-season contests. He contributed six points in 24 games during last spring’s Calder Cup title run. Ekman-Larsson sat out Monday’s practice for maintenance.
Tanev’s absence could test Toronto’s defensive depth and alter how the club deploys its blue line, potentially affecting teammates’ workloads and fan expectations. Rifai’s call-up may offer him a chance to show he can handle NHL minutes, while supporters and local businesses tied to game-day activity might feel shifts in interest if the team’s performance changes. The broader impact likely remains limited to the hockey community.