The Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring new avenues to strengthen their roster by signing Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz to a professional tryout offer (PTO). This move, announced by Sports Net Canada, reflects the Maple Leafs’ ongoing efforts to improve their team ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
Lorentz, a center who was part of the Florida Panthers during their recent Stanley Cup run, will have the opportunity to prove himself during the Maple Leafs’ training camp. While a PTO does not guarantee a roster spot, it provides Lorentz with a chance to earn a place on the team through his performance in camp activities.
In the 2023-24 NHL season, Lorentz appeared in 38 games and registered three points. His career has also included stints with the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks. Drafted 186th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Lorentz is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and this tryout represents a critical opportunity to secure a contract with a new team.
The Maple Leafs are keen to capitalize on this opportunity to finally break their long-standing championship drought. Toronto, with 13 Stanley Cup titles to its name, has not won the NHL championship since 1967. The team came close last season, but a disappointing exit in the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Bruins dashed their hopes.
Despite a strong regular season, where the Maple Leafs boasted the second-highest goal tally in the NHL with 298 goals—just behind the Colorado Avalanche—Toronto fell short in the postseason. The high-octane offense that fueled their regular-season success did not translate into playoff victories, ultimately preventing them from advancing beyond the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Florida Panthers, whom Lorentz played for, went on to face the New York Rangers in the Conference finals.
Lorentz’s Stanley Cup experience could potentially be an asset for the Maple Leafs. During Florida’s postseason run, he contributed two goals and an assist. If he makes the team, he is expected to slot into Toronto’s bottom six, providing depth and experience to the lineup.
As training camp progresses, the Maple Leafs will assess whether Lorentz’s contributions and playoff pedigree can add value to their squad. His presence could be a key factor in helping Toronto finally achieve its long-awaited goal of reaching the Stanley Cup Final and securing another championship.