The Toronto Maple Leafs really appear to have emphasized getting bigger and stronger this summer, so when they added Steven Lorentz on a PTO, it fell right in line with what they were looking to accomplish this off-season.
Unfortunately for Lorentz and the Maple Leafs, the Stanley Cup champion skated just once before suffering an upper-body injury during training camp and is absent from day two of the team's on-ice sessions. He's currently listed as day-to-day.
Lorentz, who hails from nearby Kitchener, Ontario, is a defensively responsible center who plays a physical game and is an absolute hound on the puck. At 6'4, 216 lbs, he's not a guy who will be bullied or pushed around, which was appealing to the Leafs, considering their lack of center depth.
Lorentz appeared in just 38 games for the Panthers during the 2023-24 season, amassing a goal and 2 assists over that span. He also appeared in 16 playoff games for Florida en route to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist during their championship run.
The hope here is that the 28-year-old does not miss too much time and can return to the lineup to get into some pre-season games in hopes of showing the Leafs what he can add to their roster as he looks to turn his PTO into an NHL contract.
POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 20 | 1955 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Receive Some Bad News Regarding Forward Steven Lorentz Does Steven Lorentz's injury make it more difficult for him to earn a contract in Toronto? | ||
Yes | 1068 | 54.6 % |
Not necessarily | 618 | 31.6 % |
He was never going to make the team anyway | 269 | 13.8 % |
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