Lorentz looking to add depth, size, and physicality to a team willing to take a chance on the forward

Just after winning the Stanley Cup Lorentz wasnt offered a contract by the Panthers which lead him into unrestricted free agency. The 28-year-old two-way centre and left winger was a healthy scratch for much of the first part of the season, but after battling his way back into the lineup, became the Panthers regular fourth-line mainstay for the second half and in their run to the Stanley Cup. In 38 regular-season games, the lefthander had three points (one goal, two assists) while averaging 8:47 of ice time and added another three (two goals, one assist) in 16 postseason games.

While those aren't flashy offensive numbers by any stretch, additional centre depth is never a bad thing, especially for a team like the Jets that lost a top-six talent in Sean Monahan and has unproven players vying for the second-line spot he vacated. The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Lorentz has a physical edge to his game, racking up 317 hits in his four-season NHL career.

Lorentz is also an experienced penalty killer who could be a welcome addition to a Jets' club that only killed 77.13 per cent of its penalties last season and is looking to improve under new assistant coach Dean Chynoweth, who Arniel has tasked with revamping the PK regime.

Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015 (seventh round, 186th overall) Lorentz has 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) between the Hurricanes, Sharks, and Panthers in 230-career NHL games and has won 48.7 per cent of his career faceoffs. Although he plays a heavy game, he stays out of the box, with only 42-career penalty minutes to his name.