According to a report from TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, RFA forward Nick Robertson is digging in his heels.
The unsigned forward refuses to sign a new contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and has demanded a trade from Leafs GM Brad Treliving. With training camp and the preseason just a few short weeks away though, there was some talk that Robertson might relent in his demands. Not so though, says LeBrun.
"He still would prefer a change of address. He's got a pretty powerful agent in Pat Brisson... but the process certainly hasn't moved along as his camp would like."
"It's still early. Deadlines tend to spur signings but... he doesn't have a lot of leverage."
"I don't know that nothing can be done. We've seen elsewhere this offseason where players who were asking for a change of scenery and then ended up signing. Martin Necas is example number one. When you're an RFA there's only so much you can do. But checking in yesterday, moving on is his top desire."
- Pierre LeBrun
Read below for our earlier report on the Leafs' signing of defenseman Marshall Rifai.
This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed 26 year old defenseman Marshall Rifai to a two year contract extension worth $775,000 per season.
The Quebec native as scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025. This new deal will keep him in the Leafs' organization until at least July, 2027.
Read below for the full press release announcement of today's signing:
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has extended defenceman Marshall Rifai to a two-year contract extension, beginning in the 2025-26 season. The average annual value of the contract is $775,000.
Author Attribution
Rifai, 26, recorded 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 57 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) during the 2023-24 season while adding four points (three goals, one assist) in three playoff games. Rifai also made his NHL debut last season, skating in two games with the Maple Leafs. Rifai has posted 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) and 189 penalty minutes in 126 career AHL regular season games while also collecting five points (three goals, two assists) in eight career playoff games. Prior to joining Toronto, the Beaconsfield, QC native appeared in 71 games through three seasons with Harvard University (NCAA) where he registered 21 points (six goals, 15 assists).
The 6’2, 205-pound defenceman originally signed a one-year AHL contract with Toronto on March 29, 2022
