When the Toronto Maple Leafs figure out their larger situations, including pending unrestricted free agent John Tavares and restricted free agent Matthew Knies, they can move on to their other priorities. It'll begin with Max Pacioretty, who, after contemplating his playing career, would reportedly be interested in returning to the Maple Leafs. Negotiations with Steven Lorentz's camp could follow, especially after a strong season in his home province. "Everybody that's up, we've talked to, and I have a feeling on what either side, whether they are going to come back, whether they are not going to come back," Treliving said on Thursday [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKEc6kqhnig] when asked if they've spoken with Lorentz and Pacioretty's camp. "Those that we're engaged with, we have a little bit of a sense of where they're at." Let's start with Lorentz, the forward who ranked fourth on the Maple Leafs in game-winning goals [https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20242025&seasonTo=20242025&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.5&sort=gameWinningGoals&page=0&pageSize=50] (5) this season, behind Matthew Knies (6), Mitch Marner (7), William Nylander (8), and John Tavares (8). Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Expects Mitch Marner To Hit Free Agency Unless 'Significant Change' Occurs [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e5de2c05-77e9-45c5-afc2-df01ca4f211e.webp] Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Expects Mitch Marner To Hit Free Agency Unless 'Significant Change' Occurs Unless anything seriously changes, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner will test free agency on July 1. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-gm-brad-treliving-expects-mitch-marner-to-hit-free-agency-unless-significant-change-occurs] The 29-year-old tied a career-high in points during the regular season (eight goals, 11 assists, 19 points) and was among Toronto's top forwards in hits [https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?report=realtime&reportType=season&seasonFrom=20242025&seasonTo=20242025&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.5&sort=hits&page=0&pageSize=50] during the regular season (2nd with 199) and the playoffs (third with 42). Although he didn't find the back of the net [https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/steven-lorentz-8478904] in the postseason, Lorentz was a mainstay with Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok on an energetic fourth line. Lorentz's size, physicality, and Golden Retriever-like personality make him a strong fit to remain within Toronto's bottom six. When Pacioretty last spoke publicly, he was unsure whether his player career would continue. The 36-year-old had a difficult year with injuries, which made him miss some time in the back half of the year. Another reason why he was absent from the lineup was Toronto's salary cap situation. Pacioretty hadn't played a game since Feb. 8 before stepping into the Maple Leafs' Game 3 lineup against the Ottawa Senators. 'I Thought I Was Done Playing A Number Of Times': How Maple Leafs' Max Pacioretty Persevered To Score Series-Clinching Goal Against Senators [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bdf9a9a9-25b9-4474-a7e8-2d0f23727e74.jpeg] 'I Thought I Was Done Playing A Number Of Times': How Maple Leafs' Max Pacioretty Persevered To Score Series-Clinching Goal Against Senators It was 225 days ago, on Sept. 19, when Max Pacioretty, wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs hoodie with the number 67 stamped on, first stepped in front of the camera to explain why he joined the organization. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-thought-i-was-done-playing-a-number-of-times-how-maple-leafs-max-pacioretty-persevered-to-score-series-clinching-goal-against-senators] But the veteran forward was everything Toronto hoped he'd be [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/he-bought-into-the-role-of-being-a-menace-max-pacioretty-delivers-everything-maple-leafs-have-needed-in-the-playoffs] in the playoffs: a big moment player. Pacioretty scored the Maple Leafs' series-clinching goal in Game 6 against the Senators and had the insurance marker to force a Game 7 against the Florida Panthers in the second round. His playoff statline finished with three goals and five assists in 11 games. His eight postseason points were only behind Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander for the most on Toronto [https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20242025&seasonTo=20242025&gameType=3&playerPlayedFor=franchise.5&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50]. Although Treliving didn't mention on Thursday whether discussions are ongoing with Pacioretty's camp, he does maintain that the veteran forward wants to play another season in the NHL. "I don't want to speak for him," said Toronto's GM, "but I've talked to Allan (Walsh), and certainly, after him getting away for a bit that he probably wants to keep going." Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Says John Tavares Negotiations Will Have 'A Good Outcome' Unless Proven Otherwise [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/952492e3-48c7-4b54-ae70-bbda1696fdc8.webp] Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Says John Tavares Negotiations Will Have 'A Good Outcome' Unless Proven Otherwise Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving sounded rather optimistic about the prospect of having John Tavares return next season. The 34-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 but has expressed a desire to return. That feeling is mutual, despite reports that suggested <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-and-john-tavares-reportedly-not-close-on-extension">some distance</a> between the two sides during negotiations. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-gm-brad-treliving-says-john-tavares-negotiations-will-have-a-good-outcome-unless-proven-otherwise] Whether that's with the Maple Leafs or elsewhere remains to be seen. The same goes for Lorentz. Treliving didn't confirm or deny that those two players would be back, though he sure did leave everyone inquisitive about Toronto's plans as free agency approaches. (Top photo of Pacioretty: Winslow Townson / Imagn Images)
