Steven Lorentz was quietly effective for Maple Leafs in his 2nd season with team

Although former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving’s work can be scrutinized, his decision to re-sign Steven Lorentz paid off. In today’s NHL, where salary cap constraints force successful teams to find bargains, Lorentz on a $1.35 million AAV contract is one of the better deals, for the level of play he brings to the Maple Leafs’ lineup.

Originally signed to a one-year, $775,000 contract in September, Lorentz earned his three-year, $4.05 million extension after posting eight goals, 11 assists, and a plus-six rating through 80 games. Speaking to the media on June 30 after signing his extension, Lorentz touched on what it meant to him to continue representing the team he grew up rooting for.

“In my heart, I knew I wanted to come back,” Lorentz said. “Talking to [Treliving] and all the guys in management, we made it work. Tomorrow was definitely a possibility, but in my heart of hearts, I knew I wanted to stay, and I’m just so proud we were able to get it done.”

How the year went

Lorentz appeared in 71 games, recording seven goals and 18 points, one shy of his career high of 19 points. While Lorentz’s numbers were similar to his first campaign in Toronto, the 30-year-old went through a tough 29-game stretch, spanning between December 23-March 17, during which the forward failed to record a goal. During that 29-game span, Lorentz picked up four assists. Following a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on March 17, in which Lorentz broke his drought, scoring the lone Maple Leafs goal, he spoke about where he felt his game was at during that time frame.

“It helps tremendously, but at the same time, I think I need to do a better job of not relying on scoring a goal to be able to get that confidence back,” Lorentz said. “I think a lot of my game isn’t based on scoring, and I think it’s a lot of being able to play physically consistently. I think maybe why I’ve struggled a little bit at times is maybe the puck hasn’t gone in, and you do a little bit of overthinking. I’m not going to get too high; I haven’t been getting too low, even in the games I haven’t been performing at my best.”

Lorentz primarily skated alongside rookie Jacob Quillan during the final two months of the season, highlighed by Lorentz picking up the primary assist on Quillan’s first career NHL goal. In the Maple Leafs’ final six games, Lorentz picked up two goals and one assist, while receiving praise from Quillan on how he helped the young forward get acclimated to life at the game’s highest level.

“I would say in the second half, Max Domi and Steven Lorentz looked out for me and gave me advice,” Quillan said. “Especially Stevie being on my line, learning how to play the fourth line role on the Maple Leafs.”

Statistical profile

Category	Production	NHL rank
Expected goals percentage	46.25%	506th
Goals for percentage	44.44%	467th
Scoring chances for percentage	41.90%	606th
Corsi	42.86%	613th
Expected goals for per 60	2.08	598
Expected goals against per 60	2.42	134th out of 633

All stats on 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, among all players with 400 minutes or greater.

On this Maple Leafs team, Lorentz doesn’t need to be counted on to score goals. His value comes from being a solid fourth-line center and a valuable penalty killer. Lorentz filled the role of being a responsible centre this season, highlighted by his expected goals per 60 ranking of 134th out of 633.

Lorentz led all Maple Leafs skaters with his 2.42 xGA/60, showcasing why the Maple Leafs jumped to sign the forward the day before free agency opened. Lorentz’s goal differential finished at minus-6, a strong mark on a team that closed out the 2025-26 season with a total goal differential of minus-46.

Through Lorentz’s first two seasons with the Maple Leafs, he has shown a consistency that any team would like from their fourth-line center. Lorentz was on the ice for 24 goals for in both years and will hopefully continue to push towards the 20-point plateau. While many questions remain, Lorentz’s role appears to be set heading into the 2026-27 season.

Select highlights

Sammy Blais finds Steven Lorentz for the go-ahead goal 🍁

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