NHL Notebook: Maple Leafs place forward Mitch Marner on long-term injured reserve, a look at untouchable NHL records, and more

According to Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, the placement is important to give the Leafs an additional player, with the team down to six defencemen. 

Rifai, the 26-year-old Quebec native, made his NHL debut on February 19th against the St. Louis Blues, averaging 11:30 of ice time. The 26-year-old has played two games this season for Toronto, with an additional 49 games with the Marlies scoring two goals and 17 points. 

Although Marner (25 goals and 76 points in 62 games) has missed the last nine games, the club posted a record of 5-3-1 after their victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday. 

The Maple Leafs currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 91 points. The Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins are ahead of them with 99 points, and the Tampa Bay Lightning behind them with 87 points in fourth place. 

Roundtable: Which NHL record is untouchable?

Another day, another Daily Faceoff roundtable discussion. As active NHL players embark on their journey to tie or break some long-standing NHL records, contributors sought to answer the question, what is hockey’s most unbreakable record? 

Glenn Hall’s 502 consecutive games in net

Glenn Hall’s record of insane endurance is one that won’t be broken in today’s professional hockey landscape. 

From the opening night of the 1955-96 season with the Detroit Red Wings until the completion of the first 12 games of the 1962-63 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Hall did not take a single break; that’s equivalent to six 82-game seasons. Hall did so without wearing a protective mask to add to the remarkable feat. 

“It almost feels like I shouldn’t be allowed to pick this one. Goalies in 2023-24 rarely if ever play TWO CONSECUTIVE GAMES,” said Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin. “The accomplishment feels like it happened in another sport. I apologize for my pick, because it’s over. I win. I rigged the game.”

Henri Richard’s 11 Stanley Cup wins

Henri Richard won 11 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens (1956-1960, 1965-1969, 1971, and 1973). 

During this time, the NHL was reduced to the Original Six teams, making it easier to win Lord Stanley until 1967, when the league expanded with the addition of six new franchises. In 1970, the league expanded again to 14 teams, and once more in 1972, to add an additional two franchises. 

“Basically, the only way you’d be able to pull this off in the modern era is by either timing your stays with dynasties perfectly,” said Scott Maxwell. “Or hopping from team to team on one-year deals and hoping that each season is with a team that wins the Cup.”

Wayne Gretzky’s 50 goals in 39 games 

In 1981-82, Wayne Gretzky scored 50 goals in 39 games with the Edmonton Oilers, a remarkable achievement for a 21-year-old. 

“Nobody has scored 50 goals in his team’s first 50 games since Brett Hull did it with the 1991-92 Blues,” said Mike Gould. “So I think it’s pretty safe to say Gretzky’s 50-in-39 record is untouchable.”

Teemu Selanne’s 76 goals as a rookie

In 1992-93, in Teemu Selanne’s debut season with the Winnipeg Jets, the rookie scored 76 goals and 132 points. 

“No matter which generational talent comes to the forefront, I don’t know that we’ll ever see that again,” said Frank Seravalli. 

Patrick Roy’s 151 career playoff wins

Through 114 playoff appearances with the Montreal Canadiens from 1986 until 1994 and 133 appearances with the Colorado Avalanche from 1996 until 2003, Patrick Roy posts a record of 151 playoff wins. 

“With goaltenders debuting later in life and traditional dynasties extinct in the salary cap era, the Islanders head coach won’t ever be caught,” said Paul Pidutti. 

Ron Hextall’s penalty minutes by a goalie in a single season

Ron Hextall recorded 113 penalty minutes in 1988-89 with the Philadelphia Flyers, with no goaltender even coming close to the record number. 

“There’s been six instances of a goaltender getting 30 or more in a season since 2000,” said Steven Ellis. “Funny enough, four of those came during the 2003-04 season with Pasi Nurminen, Marty Turco, Robert Esche and Tomas Vokoun all doing it.”

Devils Dougie Hamilton likely out for rest of season

The New Jersey Devils revealed on Saturday that it is unlikely to see defenceman Dougie Hamilton return before the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

According to team reporter Amanda Stein, interim head coach Travis Green said the team “probably won’t” see Hamilton return.

The defenceman suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a win over the New York Islanders on November 28th. After undergoing surgery a few days following the injury, the 30-year-old was out indefinitely and hasn’t returned since.

Last season Hamilton recorded career highs in goals (22) and assists (52) throughout the full 82 game campaign. This season, Hamilton posted five goals and 16 points in 20 games before having his season stripped away.

Although the Devils have had clear struggles this season, the absence of Hamilton is a contributing factor. Without the defenceman the club has relied on rookies Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec to play significant roles in the teams power play, a move made by former head coach Lindy Ruff before the club and Ruff parted ways in March.

The 2023-24 campaign marks Hamilton’s third season with the club after inking him to a seven year deal in July 2021.