Free-agent center Steven Lorentz is set to join the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout.
Lorentz, 28, has been without a contract for over two months despite helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup last June. During the playoffs, he played in 16 out of 24 games, scoring twice and getting one assist while averaging just over seven minutes per game. In the regular season, his role was even smaller as he often sat out games. He managed only one goal and two assists in 38 games.
Last season was Lorentz’s first with Florida after being traded from the Sharks. The Panthers acquired him in exchange for Anthony Duclair. Before that, he signed a two-year deal worth $2.1M with San Jose after being part of the Brent Burns trade from Carolina.
Joining Toronto:
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, Lorentz hopes to secure a spot on Toronto’s roster during training camp . If successful, he might get a league-minimum contract. Since before COVID-19 hit, he hasn’t played in the minors; his last stint was with Carolina’s AHL team from 2017 to 2020.
Fans might think this move could add some depth to Toronto’s lineup without breaking their budget.
The Leafs don’t have much salary cap space left but can still fit in someone like Lorentz with their $1.275M projected space and two open spots on their roster.
In his NHL career spanning four seasons and 230 games, Lorentz has scored 21 goals and made 22 assists for a total of 43 points while averaging nearly eleven minutes per game. He plays both center and left-wing positions and has won almost half of his faceoffs (48.7 percent) out of nearly 1,100 attempts.
He will be competing against more experienced players like Alex Steeves as well as younger prospects such as Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten for a place on Toronto’s opening night roster.
What do you think about this potential addition?
