Insider: Steven Lorentz’s Future With Maple Leafs “A No Brainer”

It’s true that the Toronto Maple Leafs are about $1 million over the salary cap just a week ahead of opening night. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t be drawing up some additional contracts between now and the start of the season.

It’s already well known at this point that Max Pacioretty will be offered a standard player contract for the coming campaign. But insider Darren Dreger insisted on TSN Radio 1050 that signing Steven Lorentz is also a no-brainer:

How do you not take a real hard look... at a guy his size, who does what he does and he's coming off winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers?

It'll only cost the team a league minimum contract for Lorentz, who was making $1.05 AAV on his previous deal. The 28-year-old 13th forward played a minimal role for the Panthers last season, skating in 38 games while notching three points in 8:47 of ice time per game. The 6'4", 208 pounder brings physicality however, and did hand out 70 hits in those limited minutes, while playing another 16 games during the Panthers' run to the Cup, recording another three points and 40 hits in just 7:07 of ice time per playoff contest.

Depending on what happens with the William Nylander experiment at center, Lorentz can even bring a little depth in the pivot as a fourth-liner, especially with Connor Dewar currently on the shelf. He could also serve as an option at the AHL level with the Marlies.

Still some lineup decisions to make for Toronto, but at least one insider feels that Lorentz is an easy one.