Huge News As Maple Leafs Sign Former Panthers Stanley Cup Champion

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be adding some Stanley Cup pedigree just before the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to bring in Stanley Cup-winning forward Steven Lorentz for a professional tryout agreement (PTO), according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

As just mentioned with @TheRog590, sounds like Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz is joining Toronto on a PTO

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 3, 2024

Steven Lorentz, 28, spent last season with the Florida Panthers after being traded from the San Jose Sharks. During the regular season, he played 38 games, scoring one goal and three assists, averaging 8:47 of ice time per game. In the playoffs, he participated in 16 games, where he scored two goals and recorded three points, contributing to the team’s Stanley Cup victory.

Hailing from Kitchener, Ontario, Lorentz was drafted in the seventh round by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Over his career, which includes 230 games with Carolina, San Jose, and Florida, he has netted 21 goals and 43 points while averaging 10:47 of ice time.

While scoring isn’t Lorentz’s main strength, his size at 6-4 and 205 pounds makes him a solid grinder, capable of performing effectively in a fourth-line role—something the Leafs have often needed for added grit with their current roster.

As a center, Lorentz faces tough competition to secure a spot, with Toronto’s center lineup including Auston Matthews, John Tavares, David Kampf, and Max Domi. He might begin the season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, although he hasn’t played there since the 2019-20 season. This all depends on whether he makes it past training camp later this month.

Lorentz previously signed a two-year, $2.1millioncontractwithSanJosein2022,withanaverageannualvalueof$ 1.05 million. He’s also the third player from last season’s Florida roster to join Toronto this offseason, along with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goaltender Anthony Stolarz.