What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Steven Lorentz?

When it comes to having the passion to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there isn’t anyone on the Leafs’ roster with more than depth forward Steven Lorentz. From his high school yearbook photo, to playing mini sticks as a toddler with his Maple Leafs’ jersey on, Lorentz has been bleeding blue his whole life. Heading into the 2025-26 season with a fresh contract extension, Lorentz will continue to live out his childhood dream for the foreseeable future.

The 29-year-old Kitchener, ON native joined the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 season. Lorentz agreed to a professional tryout and accepted his invitation to training camp, and all he did from there was turn heads from the opening day of camp, showing off his size, speed, strength, and work ethic, which won over head coach Craig Berube and the coaching staff. Lorentz signed a one-year deal, and had himself a great first season in Toronto.

Lorentz appeared in 80 regular season games for his beloved Maple Leafs, scoring eight goals, and 19 points, while averaging 10:33 of ice-time per game, including 1:08 while shorthanded. The 6-foot-4 forward played mostly on the wing, however, has some experience down the middle, and his versatility to step in at centre is one of the many elements of his game that appeal to the Maple Leafs. Lorentz knows his role, he isn’t afraid to lay bone-crunching hits, and collapse hard on the forecheck. He does a great job ‘staying in his lane’ and not trying to do too much, each and every shift.

Heading into last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, Lorentz found chemistry with fellow newcomer Scott Laughton, and veteran winger Calle Jarnkrok, and the three of them created an identity line for the Leafs’ bottom six. Berube leaned on them to create energy, be sound defensively, and be hard on the forecheck, and all in all, they were very successful, and made a positive impact down the stretch. It will be interesting to see how the lines are structured at training camp, but there’s surely a chance these three could once again make up an identity line heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

The Goal: Lorentz cements himself as third-line left-winger

With all of the Maple Leafs depth among their bottom six, Lorentz’ goal for the season should be to play all 82 games as the third-line left winger. Any amount of goals in double digits should be considered a win, and with the Leafs needing to revamp their penalty killers with Mitch Marner leaving, Lorentz should be pushing to be on the first penalty kill unit, and block as many shots as possible.

While the Leafs added some more size during the offseason, Lorentz is one of the bigger forwards among the group, and like last season, should continue to be as physical as possible, each and every shift. If he wants to keep Berube’s trust in his game, especially with a new three-year contract in his back pocket, Lorentz has to stick to his strengths, which are led by simplicity.

The Expectation: Lorentz plays every game within the bottom six

While Lorentz should be pushing during training camp to find himself on the third line, with Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Easton Cowan pushing for spots, along with David Kampf, Laughton, Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, Michael Pezzetta, and Bobby McMann in the mix, the internal competition at training camp up front is going to be one of the many storylines to follow.

With some security when it comes to his contract, Lorentz can think big picture, and long term now after playing last season on a one-year deal. Berube knows what his game entails, and as long as Lorentz is dressing every single night, and providing his physicality, sound defensive metrics, and chipping in with timely goals like we saw last season with his five game winners, he’ll be in great shape to be a staple among the Maple Leafs’ bottom six.