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Steven Lorentz Makes Interesting Admission About Decision to Sign PTO with the Leafs
Photo credit: MATIAS J. OCNER / Miami Herald
Signed to a PTO by the Maple Leafs in early September, Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz has revealed why he ignored other offers and chose to join the Leafs.
Lorentz skated in 16 playoff games with the Florida Panthers, where he tallied 3 points in a bottom-six role, helping the Panthers win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. On Monday morning, the 28-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario appeared on TSN's 'First Up' and was asked why he chose to sign a PTO in Toronto. Surprisingly, Lorentz revealed that he was presented with multiple offers, but that the Leafs were always at the top of his list, even if only on a PTO.
"I had a lot of interest from other teams and I was looking around, doing some reading on depth charts and coaches. Obviously being a Toronto Maple Leaf is something I've always wanted to be since I was a little kid and for an opportunity like this to come up -- this is a group that I thought I could come in and use what I learned last year in winning with Florida to hopefully bring that knowledge and experience to a team like Toronto. I think it could be a good fit pending all goes well.
I feel great going into camp here To be able to do that in a Leafs sweater, nice and close to home with lots of friends and family in the area, would be something that I would take a lot of pride in. Being able to hoist the Stanley cup here in Toronto would be just incredible for everybody."
I feel great going into camp here To be able to do that in a Leafs sweater, nice and close to home with lots of friends and family in the area, would be something that I would take a lot of pride in. Being able to hoist the Stanley cup here in Toronto would be just incredible for everybody."
A seventh-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015, Lorentz made his NHL debut during the 2020-2021 season with Carolina. The 6'4 forward was traded to the Panthers ahead of last season from the San Jose Sharks to add some depth down the middle as well as some speed and physicality. Through 230 career NHL games, Lorentz has amassed 21 goals and 43 points with Carolina, San Jose and Florida.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 1135 ANSWERS Steven Lorentz Makes Interesting Admission About Decision to Sign PTO with the Leafs Will Lorentz earn a contract with the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 524 | 46.2 % |
| No | 414 | 36.5 % |
| He will sign somewhere else | 197 | 17.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
