Don’t Let Lorentz Get Away: Leafs Fans Urge Team to Re-sign Beloved Forward

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has a lot on his to-do list as the trade deadline approaches in March, and one of his tasks should be re-signing Steven Lorentz to a multi-year contract.

Lorentz, 28, turned his professional tryout agreement with the Maple Leafs during training camp, to a one-year, $775,000 contract. Through 39 games this season, Lorentz has displayed a wealth of strong play, and Treliving should be ensuring to keep the 6-foot-4 versatile forward in the mix heading into next season, and beyond.

Lorentz brings size, strength, and an underrated shot to the bottom six

One of the many reasons the Leafs should be interested in re-signing Lorentz is the fact he’s different than most of their forwards. Lorentz is a big body at 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, and he’s not afraid of using his body to impact the game, leading the Leafs with 100 hits through 39 contests.

Lorentz has brought the passion from day one of training camp. He walks around the facilities with a smile on his face, shows up to practice with his work boots on, and during each game, is always one of the Maple Leafs’ hardest workers. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Leafs’ defenceman Morgan Rielly spoke to Dave McCarthy of NHL.com recently and ensured to point out a few things about Lorentz’s game that he likes.

“Great shot. He plays hard, does all the right things,” stated Rielly on Dec. 31. “Plays within structure, plays physical. He’s committed, so you want guys like him on your team.” Lorentz is the proto-typical ‘team guy’. He doesn’t care about where he’s playing in the lineup, or how many minutes he’s seeing, he just loves the Maple Leafs, and wants to do anything he can to help the team succeed.

Lorentz is one of four Maple Leafs who have played every game this season. He’s averaging 10:40 of ice time per game, helping out as a depth penalty killer, and has chipped in on the scoresheet with four goals and seven assists.

You could tell Lorentz was going to be a new wrinkle into the Leafs’ lineup to end the preseason, when this sequence occurred on Oct.5 against the Detroit Red Wings. Big hit along the wall, and goes to the net hard. What’s not to like?

Of late, Lorentz has been buzzing. He’s used his above-average wheels to create space on the ice, and over his past 10 games, has managed to average a shot on goal, per game. However, there’s been none better than his game-winner against the New York Islanders on Dec. 31, a play where Lorentz admitted after the game that he blacked out a little. This isn’t a fourth-line shot.

What could Lorentz’ extension look like?

While not all of Treliving’s extensions have looked appealing a few months later, look no further than Bobby McMann’s contract as an in-house comparable for Lorentz. McMann signed for two years, at $1.35 million AAV, and if Treliving can keep Lorentz at $1 million flat, that would be great value for the fourth-line winger, who could very likely become a third-liner down the road. How does a three-year deal, at $1 million AAV sound for both sides?

Lorentz had more goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season than he had during the regular season. While he wasn’t playing a ton for the Florida Panthers, he was effective and chipped in with a couple of timely goals throughout the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run. He’s comfortable in a depth role, and he can flourish in his assignment, because of his commitment to his craft, and staying within his means.

So far, so good for Lorentz, who is living out his childhood dream of playing for the Maple Leafs. He’s proved in very short order that he’s an integral piece of Toronto’s fourth line, and Treliving should get ahead of himself, and extend Lorentz, much like he did Bobby McMann last March.

Lorentz knows his role and is very effective in fulfilling it. He loves being a Maple Leaf, and at around $1 million AAV, on a multi-year extension, Treliving and company could solidify some depth up among their bottom six, for years to come.