Steven Lorentz brought consistent, physical hockey at a low-cost in first-year with Leafs

If Steven Lorentz proved one thing this year, it’s that boyhood dreams really can come true.

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, the Kitchener, ON native went unsigned through the summer. In September, he accepted an invitation to Toronto Maple Leafs training camp on a PTO, citing an interest in playing for his hometown team above possible money or security he could receive elsewhere. On October 7th, he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Leafs.

Lorentz went viral when his sister shared his old yearbook that read: “Where I’ll be in 15 years: Playing in the NHL (with the Leafs),” in response to a picture shared on the team’s socials of Lorentz as a kid in Leafs pyjamas — in front of a Mats Sundin poster, no less. This happened as Lorentz scored the game-winner and added an assist for Toronto’s first victory of the season. From there on, he earned a permanent spot on the roster, playing a full season in the bottom six.

Now set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, the question looms of what’s next for Lorentz and the Leafs.

How the year went

As mentioned, heart-warming narratives aside, things started off strong for Lorentz. In a season marked by injury troubles across the lineup, Lorentz played 80 games with an average of 10 minutes a night, tying his career high of 19 points with eight goals and 11 points. Despite his single-digit goal tally, he had five game-winners, tied for fifth on the team. Lorentz finished the year with a shooting percentage of 10.5%, a career high which placed him 11th on the Maple Leafs overall.

Most important was his physicality, delivering 199 hits (second most on the Leafs) and taking 73 in return, while blocking 55 shots. The 6-foot-4 attacker’s size and consistency became a key marker of a Toronto’s re-shaped bottom-six this year.

Things slowed for Lorentz in the playoffs, where he registered only two assists while playing an average of 12 minutes across all 13 of Toronto’s postseason contests. He was one of eight Leafs who failed to score in the playoffs, showcasing that there’s still work to be done to push their depth to show up at crucial moments and build a reliable four-line roster. Despite that, he still brought much-needed physicality, with 42 hits thrown and 33 taken.

Overall, he was a very low-cost depth piece on this Leafs squad, who was able to put up consistent minutes and play mostly consistent hockey through a season of injuries and ailments around him. He arguably outplayed his contract, but not to the extent that he deserves much of a raise should both parties decide he should extend his time in Toronto. It’s easy to fall for the temptation of the rising cap to offer bigger salaries down the lineup, but that money should be saved for shoring up Toronto’s top six through its re-structuring this summer.

Statistical profile

For a player making under 800k, Lorentz’ underlying numbers are about what you’d expect, but there are two figures here that stand out. In Goals For percentage and PDO, Lorentz finished in the top 175 in the league, showcasing his two-way game and high level of compete. Lorentz’s straight-line speed is an underrated asset, he did what was asked of him in a fourth-line role and the Leafs will ask for more of the same, if he returns at a similar value.

Select Highlights

Lorentz with a nice move to give Toronto the lead over the New York Islanders (December 31, 2024)