The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. It appears as though Steven Lorentz, who won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in June, is joining the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout ahead of training camp. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the 28-year-old forward is set to sign a PTO with Toronto and attend Maple Leafs training camp, which begins in a few weeks. Lorentz, a 6-foot-4 left winger, appeared in 38 regular season games with Florida last season, scoring one goal and two assists. He also played 16 games in the playoffs for the Panthers and had two goals and one assist. The forward has played 230 NHL games, split between Florida, the Carolina Hurricanes, and San Jose Sharks. Lorentz has scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in that span. 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. Toronto has reportedly shown interest in Max Pacioretty, according to TSN's Chris Johnston [https://x.com/FirstUp1050/status/1830988559773298921], amid their search for more depth down the left wing. This comes one week after Johnston reported that Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson is sticking to the idea of "playing somewhere else" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-maple-leafs-restricted-free-agent-nick-robertson-sticking-to-the-idea-of-playing-somewhere-else] after reportedly requesting a trade in June. Toronto's left-wing options currently are Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann, Robertson (if he remains with the team), Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar, and potentially Max Domi (if he's not at center). Lorentz, and Pacioretty, would be two solid depth options for the Maple Leafs if they do join the organization ahead of training camp. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs 'Have Some Interest' in Free Agent Forward Max Pacioretty [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-have-some-interest-in-free-agent-max-pacioretty] 'Framed My Jersey': Matthew Knies Playfully Trolls Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan's Instagram Post [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/framed-my-jersey-matthew-knies-playfully-trolls-maple-leafs-prospect-easton-cowans-instagram-post] Oilers' Leon Draisaitl Surpasses Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews as NHL's Highest Paid Player with Landmark Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/oilers-leon-draisaitl-surpasses-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-as-nhls-highest-paid-player-with-landmark-deal] News from THN.com Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga] The Wraparound Show: Remembering Johnny Gaudreau [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/the-wraparound-show-remembering-johnny-gaudreau] NHL Expansion: Kansas City, Cincinnati and Omaha Long Shots To Land a Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-kansas-city-cincinnati-and-omaha-long-shots-to-land-a-team]
