Two Maple Leafs Improvements Worth Watching

Sometimes the most interesting developments on a hockey team aren't the ones that make the highlight reel. A goal, an assist, or a big save is easy to spot. Improvements in positioning, decision-making, and confidence can be harder to see. But they can matter just as much over the course of a season.

Two recent Maple Leafs developments caught my attention for that reason. Gavin McKenna is making progress without the puck, according to head coach Jim Hiller, while Morgan Rielly appears to be getting his game back on track. Neither story is necessarily going to dominate the postgame conversation. Both are worth a closer look.

Related: 9 Strange Ways the Maple Leafs Are Losing

McKenna Is Learning That Hockey Isn't Just About the Puck.

Hiller's comments about McKenna were encouraging. He said the young forward has made "leaps and bounds" in his play without the puck, while acknowledging that some of his decisions with the puck are still a work in progress. I like that distinction.

Young offensive players often get noticed for what they do with the puck. That's understandable. Fans want to see the creativity, the passing, and the scoring. But learning where to go when the puck isn't on your stick is part of becoming a dependable NHL player. It's also a sign of development that doesn't necessarily show up in the box score.

McKenna doesn't have to figure everything out at once. If he's making real progress away from the puck, that's a useful foundation to build on. The offensive decisions can come with experience. The important thing is that he's learning the whole game.

Rielly May Be Finding His Stride Again.

There's another encouraging development on the blue line. Rielly has put together a strong stretch, with 12 assists in 17 games this season. Eight are primary assists, and his 11 even-strength points put him among the league's more productive defencemen in that category. The numbers are good, but what interests me just as much is the suggestion that he's becoming more comfortable defensively.

Rielly has always been an important part of Toronto's offence. When he's confident and moving the puck well, the Maple Leafs look like a different team coming out of their own end. If he's also feeling more settled in his defensive responsibilities, that's a welcome combination.

Progress Doesn't Always Come With a Spotlight.

These are two different stories, but they point in a similar direction. McKenna is learning the details that make him a more complete player. Rielly appears to be rediscovering the confidence that makes him effective. Neither development guarantees anything, of course. But teams need more than goals from their young forwards and points from their defencemen.

Sometimes the best sign of progress is simply seeing a player become more comfortable doing the little things. That's worth watching in Toronto.

Related: Former Maple Leafs Goalie Joseph Woll Can't Seem to Catch a Break