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.

Younger, faster Leafs to face Washington Capitals tonight

The Monster gets home start in Toronto net

With Lombardi and Grabovski each out for three to four weeks, and Mike Komisarek now sidelined indefinitely with a broken arm, tonight begins the testing of the Maple Leafs much-commended newfound depth. Joe Colborne has been called up from the Marlies, and Cody Franson is about to get some serious minutes.

If the Buds are to contend for Lord Stanley's gorgeous trophy, then both of these gentlemen should try and make it extremely difficult for management to take them out of the lineup, and a la Jake Gardiner, they can do that by playing hard at both ends of the ice, and winning.

Mark In Da Park is ready if Goose falters

For Jonas Gustavsson, this could be the beginning of the resurrection of his NHL career, or it could be his last hurrah. The second best goalie (after Ben Scrivens, not including Reimer until he is healthy again) in the system right now is Mark Owuya, and his AHL goals against average of 1.40 proves that Mark leading the elite Swedish league in save percentage last season was no fluke. Any faultering by The Monster and/or setbacks by Reimer could see Owuya getting a home start, where Scrivens has been erratic; Mark Owuya could be in the North American big leagues very soon.