Why the Maple Leafs Extended Stanley Cup Champion Steven Lorentz a Professional Tryout (PTO) and Will Attend Training Camp
Lorentz could provide some much-needed help at left wing if the player can impress.
Steven Lorentz is going to Toronto Maple Leafs training camp this month on a professional tryout (PTO), the club officially announced on Wednesday.
First reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday, the 28-year-old Lorentz could help the Maple Leafs with a lack of depth in the position.as camp nears.
While Lorentz's one goal and two assists in 38 games last season doesn't jump off the page, his contribution during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs where he had two goals and an assist in 16 playoff games showed a mature player who could be counted on to fit in as a depth piece when needed.
Last week, Friedman reported that Toronto was looking to add some depth at the left-wing position. The Leafs are hoping younger players like Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann can take an additional jump in their development on the left side. There's also the fact that the Leafs are still hoping Nick Robertson has a change of heart and reneges on his desire to be traded.
The restricted free agent winger has until Dec. 1 to sign a contract in the NHL or risk not being eligible to play this season. But if Robertson sticks to his guns, the Leafs need to consider contingencies for depth at the position.
The Leafs have also been linked to 35-year-old free agent forward Max Pacioretty as a potential option.
Lorentz has played 230 NHL games, split between Florida, the Carolina Hurricanes, and San Jose Sharks. He has scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in that span.
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The Kitchener, Ontario native was drafted in the seventh round (186th overall) by the Hurricanes in the 2015 NHL Draft. He played his entire junior career with the OHL's Peterborough Petes and won a Calder Cup with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers in 2019.
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