Steven Lorentz spent a lot of time as a scratch for the Florida Panthers in 2023-24. That made him an under-the-radar addition for the Maple Leafs ahead of last season.
But then Toronto played Lorentz in 80 games, and he proved his value as a bottom-line forward.
Now, he's looking at a nice contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Pro Hockey Rumors projects Lorentz to get at least $1 million per year for at least two years on a new deal, not necessarily from the Maple Leafs.
Lorentz is 29 years old, and the 6-foot-4 forward was once the 186th overall pick (7th round) by Carolina in 2015.
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He didn't break into the NHL until 2020-21 with the Hurricanes. He spent two NHL seasons with the Hurricanes.
In 2022-23, Lorentz had his career season, scoring 10 goals and dishing out nine assists for the San Jose Sharks.
Then he went to Florida, where he had just three points in 38 games.
And finally he put up eight goals and 11 assists this season for the Maple Leafs.
Toronto has plenty of bigger contract questions to answer, so Lorentz will fly under the radar, just as he always has. But whoever ends up with him is getting a strong, physical forward who may have found out how to fill his role to the best of his abilities at the NHL level.
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