Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs problems are obvious and easy to fix

Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs problems are obvious and easy to fix.

Of course, there are major issues facing the team that are going to be harder to fix, but generally speaking, everything that is vexing them can be easily corrected.

The Leafs need a third line centre, and they need to clear a ton of dead-weight cap-space, and they are desperate for a puck-moving number-one defenseman. Those problems will be difficult to address for various reasons, but everything else is easy.

I will list the problem, then list the solution. You will see how easy it is. Maybe even Craig Berube will read this and get some ideas that didn't come from the 1980s. (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs problems are obvious and easy to fix

Problem: Stop Shooting from Everywhere

The Leafs are 4th in shots that hit the net, and 4th in shot-attempts. They are only 7th in expected goals-for however, and the discrepancy comes from taking too many low-quality shots. The Leafs are scoring more on rebounds this year, but who cares? Asking the best players in the world to get rid of the puck quickly instead of looking for smarter plays is a bad idea.

Problem: Terrible Line Combinations

This couldn't be more obvious: stretch your lineup by having your three superstars play on different lines.

Problem: Auston Matthews not scoring as expected

This is simple: stop using him on the PK, and stop using him for the most defensive zone draws on the team. If he scores more goals, which he will, it will be worth it. This is obvious, and frankly, Berube's usage of Matthews is pretty bad and anyone who suggested doing this online in the summer would have gotten roasted for it.

Problem: Ryan Reaves is not an NHL player

Stop playing him.

Problem: Max Domi has been horrible.

Play him on the wing where he is actually of NHL quality.

Problem: The Power-Play

Have Marner and Matthews on different units. It's not rocket science.

Problem: Depth scoring is an issue

Putting one of the superstars on the 3rd line will help fix this, but also: get rid of Kampf and Reeves because they can't score. Don't play Holmberg in the top-nine.

Problem: Pacioretty is only good one out of five games or so.

Give his minutes, and his PP time to Nick Robertson who is better and will help the team more overall.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs do all of this, they will be something close to the best version of themselves. They still won't have a 3C or a top-defender, but every single one of these moves will improve the team.