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Maple Leafs Set To Cut Ties With Steven Lorentz
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- Maple Leafs Set To Cut Ties With Steven Lorentz
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The bottom six for the Toronto Maple Leafs has gotten awfully crowded after the offseason maneuvering of new GM John Chayka. And it appears that Steven Lorentz will be one of the odd men out.
The #leafs are placing Steven Lorentz on waivers this afternoon.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 24, 2026
Insider Chris Johnston was the first to report that the Leafs are placing the fourth-liner Lorentz on waivers on Thursday.
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Lorentz, 30 years old, has spent the last two seasons with the Leafs, coming in on a PTO in the summer of 2024 after winning a Stanley Cup ring with the Florida Panthers . In 151 games in the Blue & White, he recorded 15 goals and 37 points along with a plus-4 rating, and 153 hits. He has two seasons left on his deal with a $1.35 million cap hit. With the exploding salary cap and big-money contracts being handed out to even fourth-liners, it's entirely possible that a number of teams will be interested in claiming the 6'4″, hard-working depth forward with Stanley Cup pedigree.
A logjam in Maple Leafs bottom-six leads to Lorentz going on waivers
Toronto brought in the likes of Nick Paul , Colton Sissons , Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime to fill roles in the bottom-six this season, and with Dakota Joshua also still around, someone had to go.
With the team currently needing to shave about $1.6 million off their books to get cap compliant to begin the season, Lorentz's money would almost get them there.
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Teams will have 24 hours to claim him and his contract. If that doesn't happen, he clears waivers and could be sent to the Marlies in the AHL. They can at least free up $1.15 million in cap space that way.
Lorentz has six years of NHL experience, with 381 games, while recording 80 points and 670 hits. He's averaged 10:56 ice time per game.
Coincidentally, however, the team also revealed that forward Nick Paul might not be ready to start the season next week with a minor injury.
Jim Hiller says Nick Paul is day to today. Can't say with certainty if he will be ready for opening night. Will join the team for the getaway in Arizona. @Ozoon_CA
— David Alter (@davidalter) September 24, 2026
He's currently listed as day-to-day.
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