What Do the Maple Leafs Need from Coach Jim Hiller?

There’s something about the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller that feels bigger than the usual debate about “Is he better than Berube?” Maybe it’s not even about how hard they defend every night. Maybe the real difference is what Hiller tries to do with the puck. And more importantly, how long Toronto can keep it.

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Last Season, the Maple Leafs Didn’t Have the Puck Enough

Because last season, the Maple Leafs didn’t really look like a possession team. And that’s weird when you think about who’s in the lineup. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are basically at their best when they have the puck. It’s not just them either. Toronto has a lot of skilled forwards who can create offence, but they spent too much time chasing the puck instead of staying in the offensive zone. They finished near the bottom of the league in puck possession, defensive-zone time, and offensive-zone time. That’s not a “toughness” problem as much as it’s a “spend more time controlling play” problem.

So the biggest job for Hiller might not be teaching them how to be meaner. It might be teaching them how to get the puck and keep it long enough for their best guys to work. And if you think about it, it also changes the whole workload. If Matthews and Nylander aren’t constantly trying to fight for chances by chasing the puck back, they can actually do what they’re paid for. That’s to generate offence, attack, and make plays. Less time spent defending in transition usually means more time to build something at full strength in the offensive zone.

When Hiller Coached the Kings, They Were Strong on Expected Goals For

Hiller already has some proof for this, too. In Los Angeles, his Kings teams were strong in possession and expected goals, and they finished first in expected goals against. That’s the kind of model where teams have the puck, create chances, and limit the other team’s opportunities. It’s simple in theory, but not always easy to execute. Still, if Toronto can get even closer to that identity, they could look completely different.

The one thing to keep an eye on is the warning from Hiller’s second season in LA. There were concerns his system became too restrictive offensively. That gave him a reputation as a defensive coach, even though that’s not really what he is. The Maple Leafs need to take full advantage of the creativity in their best players. They don’t need to turn into a robot team that never risks anything.

Hockey Is a Game of Risk and Reward

The Maple Leafs have elite offensive players who need the freedom to play. They need to try stuff. Sometimes it won’t work—and that’s part of the deal. Last season’s attempt to make the team ‘tougher to play against’ didn’t work. The bigger question is whether Hiller helps Toronto actually stay with the puck. That’s the improvement that matters most.

Related: Jeff Skinner Chose Switzerland Over the NHL. What His New Life Could Be