Toronto Maple Leafs: 7 Not-so-Obvious Things Needing Improvement

It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs' penalty killing unit has one of the worst in the league, or that the Leafs have had shaky goaltending ever since James Reimer got injured.

Much has been made about the struggles and slow starts of certain players as well.

Instead of harping on these issues, let us examine a few of the Leafs' not-so-obvious weaknesses.

Here are seven little things the Leafs need to work on in order to improve their overall game.

Goalie Puck Movement

Despite an impressive performance against the Washington Capitals in a 7-1 victory, Jonas Gustavsson showed a weakness in his game: his puck-handling skills.

He had a blooper-worthy moment where he wandered behind his net, fumbled the puck and somehow ended up falling on the back of the net.

I don't want to single him out though, seeing as puck-handling is not a strong suit of any of the three goalies that have started for the Leafs this season.

It really helps when your goalie is not only confident enough to come out and play the puck often, but also able to make smart and responsible plays to either clear the puck from danger, or to make a good outlet pass.

Shooting Accuracy

It's frustrating when you get 40 or even 50 shots on goal in one night, but end up losing because you only managed to convert one or two of them.

It's also frustrating for players when they're getting a few quality scoring chances seemingly every game, but cannot seem to break out of their slumps.

Just ask Matt Frattin.

He's had multiple quality scoring chances this year, but couldn't find the back of the net until November 19, when he roofed it against the Caps' Tomas Vokoun.

He could've just as easily had four or five goals already this season.

Dion Phaneuf was the poster boy for bad accuracy last season. He has a bomb of a shot, but what's the point of shooting a hundred miles an hour if the shot's going two feet high and three feet wide?

He's gotten a lot smarter this season, sacrificing velocity and power for strategy and accuracy.

If the team as a whole can learn to hit the net more often, they'll win more games.

Seems kind of obvious, doesn't it?

Passing

Sometimes, the Leafs look like they need to relearn some of the basics of the game, like how to pass.

They've turned the puck over numerous times and wasted a few glorious scoring chances because of poor passing.

Instead of trying to whip it to a teammate who's 50 feet up the ice or on the opposite wing, why not try shorter passes that are much easier to handle?

That way, there's less chance of turning it over, of hopping over a player's stick, or of missing the intended target altogether.

Good passing is also key to the next couple slides.

Exiting the Defensive Zone

I cringe when I see defensemen reversing the puck instead of chipping it off the boards for an easy clear, especially when there are forecheckers coming in fast.

It is acceptable to do it if the other team is changing and therefore only has one guy forechecking, but it is unacceptable when you're tired and in desperate need of a change.

Tired players will make weak plays, and weak reverse passes are easy to pick off if you're an attacker that's fresh on the ice.

All you need to do is make one or two short and quick passes to exit your own zone. You shouldn't need to spend 30 seconds trying to force the puck out when you could've just chipped it out half a minute earlier.

Getting stuck in your own zone causes turnovers, penalty trouble and goals.

Good passing and hard work gets the puck out quickly.

Entering the Offensive Zone

The ol' chip and chase works well if you chip it to the right place, have the speed to get there in time, and have the determination to win the ensuing puck battle.

It does not work well if you're slow and get easily pushed off the puck every time you try and get near.

Good offensive zone entry goes back to good passing, but speed is also important.

It's tough to gain entry when your forwards are standing still at the opposing blue line waiting for the puck to cross.

The Leafs rarely gain entry into the offensive zone with solid passing plays; they rely on dumping it and chipping and chasing.

Another failed strategy that the Leafs are often guilty of is having one guy trying to dangle through three guys. This almost never works and usually creates odd-man rushes the other way.

The Leafs have a speedy group of forwards as well as a few defensemen who are willing to join the rush. They should utilize their speed and improve their passing so they can enter the offensive zone more often and easily.

Better Board Play

Nikolai Kulemin is perhaps one name that stands out on the Leafs in terms of good board play, but even he hasn't been spectacular as of late.

What's the use of chipping and chasing if you can't win the ensuing puck battle?

What should've been some good puck possession time in the attacking zone ends up as a quick and easy clear for the other team.

The Leafs need to be more aggressive and strong along the boards so they can stay on the puck and cycle it until a good opportunity arises.

If you get knocked off the puck within seconds, you'll need to do it all over again—gain puck possession, enter the offensive zone, get set up.

Willingness to Shoot

Sometimes, players make one pass too many; other times, they're worrying too much about getting their shot blocked.

Pretty passing plays leading to goals are always nice to see, but sometimes, you just need to put the puck on net.

Mikhail Grabovski has been pretty selfless so far this season, and it needs to stop.

Tyler Bozak is predictable because he's always looking for Phil Kessel.

I can appreciate a shooter making a play for a change, but the Leaf playmakers need to start shooting more when they get the chance.

That's not to say Grabovski and Bozak are the only culprits; all the players need to learn to think on their feet and pass and shoot at the appropriate times.