Maple Leafs veterans nowhere to be found

As the Toronto Marlies revealed their preseason lineup on Saturday, veterans Steven Lorentz and Philippe Myers were nowhere to be seen after being demoted.

On Saturday night the Toronto Marlies ended up playing their first preseason game against the Rochester Americans in the first of a back-to-back, heading to Hamilton on Sunday to face the Hammers.

They came away with a 3-1 loss, with only 2025 NCAA signing Frank Djurasevic getting the Marlies on the board. It was a group that seemed like one we're going to see a lot of this season, though it had two very notable absences.

Marlies preseason game without two of Toronto's newest roster members

Both forward Steven Lorentz and defenceman Philippe Myers were not slotted into the lineup on Saturday night after both men cleared waivers and were subsequently assigned to the AHL:

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Also to note, prospect Ben Danford was not in the lineup, and neither were mainstays like Marshall Rifai, Logan Shaw, and Vinni Lettieri. While it could be a matter of trying to get a younger group some game reps, it's still not a good look that neither former Maple Leaf could find themselves even as a supporting piece.

Lorentz being waived was a genuine shock to some given he quickly became a fan favourite through his passion and sheer hard work, but after regressing defensively in 2026, the Maple Leafs' bottom-six overhaul made him expendable and it's surprising to see no team put in a claim for him.

Myers is more depth than anything, though with how good the other Marlies defenders have been, plus needing room for Ben Danford, Myers may find himself on the outside looking in.

What's next for the Marlies?

The reigning Calder Cup champions are going to have a bit of an uphill battle if they want to repeat, though they do have several returning faces. They aren't without issues though as both Cade Webber and William Villeneuve are out long-term and both were critical to the Marlies playoff push last year.

They play against Hamilton on Sunday afternoon and there is a very good possibility that Lorentz and Myers find themselves in the game so they too have reps beforehand. Though if we see them absent yet again, you have to wonder where both men are going to fit in with such a stacked roster.

The team opens up their season on Oct. 2nd in Rochester against the Americans, then head home to Coca-Cola Coliseum to take on the Hamilton Hammers on Oct. 3rd - mirroring their preseason schedule, and it's where the team will raise their Calder Cup Championship banner.

For now, the main goal for the Marlies is determining who is going to be lining up for them this season and it looks like two of their newest veterans have been left off the ice.

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