Toronto Maple Leafs sign Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to one-year contracts
The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked a pair of tryout players to deals as the 2024-25 NHL season nears.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forwards Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to one-year contracts. Both players were previously signed to professional tryout contracts (PTO).
According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, Pacioretty signed for one year at $873k, with Lorentz signing for league minimum at $775k. Chris Johnston of TSN & The Athletic first reported Pacioretty and Lorentz were expected to reach a deal with Toronto.
The Leafs made the move official a short time after, also announcing they have signed defenseman Cade Webber to a two-year contract extension. Webber, 6'7, has been in Toronto's system since last season after being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Webber had spent the past four years at Boston University, being one of the top shutdown defensemen in the NCAA during his tenure.
Pacioretty, 35, has played 16 seasons in the NHL, most prominently with the Montreal Canadiens, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, where he spent his first 10 seasons. Pacioretty has also appeared with the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes & Washington Capitals. Pacioretty had 4 goals, 19 assists & 23 points in 47 games for Washington in the 2023-24 season.
Pacioretty will likely play on Toronto's top-nine at left wing, in a probable middle-six role with the club, a move that fills the hole left by Tyler Bertuzzi's departure in free agency for the Chicago Blackhawks, but throws into question other potential options for that spot including youngsters Fraser Minten & Easton Cowan, as well as recently signed Nick Robertson. All three could play elsewhere in the lineup if needed, but likely shuts a spot on the left side.
Lorentz, 28, was a member of the Florida Panthers 2023-24 Stanley Cup team, playing in 38 games for the club, as well as 16 in the playoffs. Lorentz, a defensive-oriented center, has played four NHL seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks & Florida Panthers.
Lorentz will contend for a potential fourth line center spot, although he can also play at left wing. His signing could make fellow Center David Kampf expendable if the Leafs wish to shed his salary, Kampf making $2.4M until 2027.
| POLL | ||
Should the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz? | ||
| Yes | 168 | 76.7 % |
| No | 15 | 6.8 % |
| Yes Pacioretty, No Lorentz | 12 | 5.5 % |
| Yes Lorentz, No Pacioretty | 24 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||
