Maple Leafs’ Forward Future on the Line After Training Camp Injury
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz was sidelined with an upper-body injury ahead of the second day of the team's training camp, the Leafs announced on September 20 .
The 28-year-old, who is attending camp on a professional tryout (PTO) after the franchise signed him to that deal on September 4 , is listed as day-to-day following the injury, as reported by the Leafs' PR team on social media.
"Leafs F Steven Lorentz will not skate today and is listed as day-to-day (upper body)," the brief statement from the Leafs said.
Lorentz was a key depth piece for the Florida Panthers during their Stanley Cup-winning campaign last season.
After entering free agency on July 1 and failing to land a standard contract, it's fair to assume Lorentz is hoping to make a strong impression in Toronto during the preseason to convince the team to offer him a roster spot.
Lorentz played in 38 games for the Panthers, registering 1 goal and 2 assists, while adding 2 more goals in 16 playoff appearances on his way to hoisting the Stanley Cup.
The Ontario native, originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 7th round of the 2015 NHL draft, has bounced around the league in recent years without settling in any particular place.
In 230 career NHL games since his debut in the 2020-21 season, Lorentz has scored 21 goals and added 22 assists for 43 points . He was acquired by Florida in a trade with the San Jose Sharks ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, but the Panthers didn't sign him to a contract extension.
The Maple Leafs, with limited salary cap space at the time of his signing, added Lorentz as a potential low-cost depth option heading into the 2024-25 season by signing him to a cap-free PTO deal.
If the Leafs want Lorentz to become part of their regular season roster, however, the franchise will need to sign him to a veteran's minimum deal at the very least, with the cap implication that has.
Related: Maple Leafs' William Nylander Reveals Nagging Health IssueThis story was originally published September 21, 2024, 4:45 AM.
