Mark Owuya is the new Reimer, deserves shot with Leafs

Led Swedish elite league in save percentage, now 2nd in AHL

With Optimus Reimer back in the saddle for the Buds, the accepted wisdom of the Leafs netminding depth is as follows:

Reimer

Gustavsson

Scrivens

Rynnas

Owuya

Sparks

Based on their play over the past year or so, Owuya is the fast-rising player to watch.

Maple Leafs backup netminder Gustavsson has rarely appeared to be a playoff calibre goalie, however his recent NHL wins have lifted his market value. The oldest goalie in the system at a just-turned 27, the Monster exceeded my expectations in about half a dozen of the 14 games he's appeared in, at other times looking erratic. As the New Jersey Devils have goalies aged 39 and 38, Jonas may look like a youngster to them... Zach Parise, anyone?

Rynnas struggled in the early season but has recently won four of five, helping the Marlies regain first place. Scrivens has been stellar from day one of camp and deserves to be the goalie leading the Marlies to a Calder Cup.

Mark Owuya deserves a shot at the NHL soon. After leading the Swedish elite league in save percentage last year as a rookie, he is now 5-2 and second in the American Hockey League with a 1.78 GAA, and his .936 save percentage is also second best in the league. If either Reims or Goose stumble in the next few games, it may be time to see how Mark In Da Net plays out in the bigs.