Steven Lorentz

Maple Leafs’ New Star? Steven Lorentz Hits the Ice with a PTO!

The Toronto Maple Leafs are shaking things up this fall with new signing Steven Lorentz on a professional tryout. Can he skate his way into the spotlight? 🏒✨

In a move that’s buzzing around the hockey world, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to offer a professional tryout (PTO) to none other than Steven Lorentz. The former Florida Panthers forward, who clinched a Stanley Cup victory with the team last June, is looking for a fresh start as he heads to Toronto's training camp. This is an exciting time, not only for Lorentz, but for the Leafs, who have a history of finding gems through PTOs. Just look at Noah Gregor’s impressive run last season!

At 28 years old, Lorentz has had a rollercoaster ride in the NHL, particularly after his depth contributions in helping the Panthers secure their playoff glory. With the Maple Leafs, he’s hoping to carve out a niche within their bottom six—a critical component for any playoff-bound team. The recent trend of success for PTO players in the Leafs organization makes this an intriguing gamble. With October just around the corner, hockey enthusiasts can hardly contain their excitement. Can Lorentz turn this opportunity into a regular-season roster spot?

The buzz surrounding Lorentz is justified as he brings with him a wealth of experience—having played a total of 16 games during the Panthers' sparkling playoff run. Despite remaining unsigned for two months into free agency, his past triumphant moments—including capturing the AHL's Calder Cup with Charlotte in 2019—highlight his ability to make an impact when it counts. Toronto might just be the fresh start Lorentz needs to regain his playing form and contribute to a winning atmosphere.

As the PTO season heats up, Lorentz is not alone; he'll be competing against a pool of eager players looking to impress the Maple Leafs coaching staff. Whether he skates his way into a contract or not remains to be seen, but the spotlight is certainly on him this September. So, grab your popcorn, hockey fans—the NHL drama is just heating up! Fun fact: Did you know the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup was in 1967? And there's no pressure on Lorentz, right? Just a chance to end the decades-long dry spell!