The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing free-agent forward Steven Lorentz to training camp on a professional tryout agreement (PTO), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports.

Lorentz spent last season with the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old appeared in 38 regular season games with the Panthers, scoring once and adding two assists. He took on a bigger role for the postseason, appearing in 16 playoff games, recording three points and landing 40 hits. Lorentz is known to have a strong work ethic and brings some significant size to Leafs’ camp, measuring in at 6-foot-4, 215 lbs.

Lorentz’s versatility to play either centre or wing is likely something that made him an attractive camp invite for Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. Toronto isn’t necessarily a team feared for its size and strength, so look for Lorentz to try and win over head coach Craig Berube with his physicality and work ethic. Berube made it very clear he wants players who are willing to outwork other teams, as Leafs’ training camp is going to be an intense battle for internal competition — especially among the bottom-six forwards as the lineup is nowhere near set in stone. Lorentz will be battling among David Kampf, Pontus Holmberg, Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves for jobs down the middle.

Originally a 2015 seventh-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, Lorentz began his NHL career back in 2020-21 with the Hurricanes, and played for the Sharks before joining the Panthers last season. Lorentz has scored 21 goals, 43 points, and won 49 percent of his faceoffs in 230 career NHL games,. He spent his junior hockey playing career with the Ontario Hockey League’s Peterborough Petes and his professional career has spanned across the ECHL’s Florida Everblades and the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers.

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers last season, Lorentz enjoyed his day with the Cup throughout his hometown Kitchener/Waterloo area, where he made his first stop at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Lorentz made sure anyone who wanted a moment with the Stanley Cup was able to, and took pictures with staff, patients and their families.