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Maple Leafs Winger's Immediate Reaction to Signing Multi-Year Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 8:07 AM ET

Steven Lorentz didn’t hesitate when the Toronto Maple Leafs called with a contract offer.

The 29-year-old forward agreed to a three-year extension worth $4.05 million with a $1.35 million annual cap hit on Monday, locking him in just 24 hours before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Lorentz, who grew up a Leafs fan and joined the team under a one-year deal last offseason, claimed to always know where things were going to end in an interview with The Athletic shortly after singing his new contract.

“There was no doubt in my mind I’d be back in Toronto again,” Lorentz said. “Being able to wear the Leaf with pride, being able to play at home with friends and family and trying to bring a (Stanley Cup) to a city that’s been longing for it for so long and that deserves it.”

Steven Lorentz says he'd love to play with the Maple Leafs for his entire career.

"Last year exceeded expectations, and just being able to wear the Leaf with pride... trying to bring a cup to a city that's longing for it, and it deserves it."
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) June 30, 2025

According to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke, in his conversation with Lorentz, the veteran chose long-term security and familiarity over exploring other offers that might have waited for him—or not—in the open market.

“I take a lot of pride in being a Leafs fan and now a player,” Lorentz said. “That definitely had a lot to do with it.

“I wanted the longer-term deal. To know I’m sticking around, to have that stability, especially here, it just means the world."

After arriving in Toronto on an non-guaranteed, professional-tryout deal last fall, Lorentz earned a one-year deal before the season and appeared in 80 regular-season games scoring eight goals and matching his career-best 19 points.

The Carolina Hurricanes drafted Lorentz with the No. 186 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft but the forward didn't make his debut until the 2020-21 season, when he played 45 games.

Carrer-wise, Lorentz will start next season with 310 regular-season games of experience across four franchises, and having won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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