Steven Lorentz always planned to return to hometown Leafs after signing 3-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have lost one hometown kid on Monday in Mitch Marner, but another fan favourite local is here to stay.

Steven Lorentz signed a three-year extension with the Maple Leafs, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $1.35 million. After signing the extension, Lorentz spoke to media. Lorentz acknowledged the possibility that he could have hit the market, but said ultimately his desire was to stay with his hometown team.

“In my heart, I knew I wanted to come back,” Lorentz said. “Talking to [Treliving] and all the guys in management, we made it work. Tomorrow was definitely a possibility, but in my heart of hearts, I knew I wanted to stay and I’m just so proud we were able to get it done.”

Lorentz originally signed with the Leafs on a one-year, $775,000 contract in September of last year. At the time he said that he left money on the table in order to join his childhood team. Now he’s got a slight raise, but still comes in as a low-cost depth piece for Toronto, saying his priority was the term not the amount.

“Honestly, that’s what I wanted more than anything, the longevity,” Lorentz said. “I would love to play my whole career here in Toronto.”

With his contract locked in for a few years, the 29-year-old can now focus on his game and the team heading into next season. And despite some major roster changes, Lorentz denied that this team will be fundamentally different from the Craig Berube-led tough group he played with last year.

“We’ve got a great group of guys there still,” Lorentz said. “No matter the moves you make, I think the DNA hasn’t changed, you know, with our coaching staff up to management. We still have that goal that we want to be the hardest-working team, we want to be the best team, we want to be the team that comes out on top.”

Already back in Waterloo working out and training on the ice, Lorentz has a busy summer ahead of him. But before too much focus shifts to next season, he has one major event on the calendar first.

“I’m getting married at the end of July,” Lorentz shared. “That’s kind of the next step for me, that’s a big thing I’m looking forward to. After that, it’s time to put the pedal down.”