OSHAWA - The Toronto Maple Leafs have their goaltending set for now with James Reimer as the starter and Jonas Gustavsson the most likely candidate to serve as backup.

But when you're dealing with a kid, Reimer, who has just 37 NHL games under his belt and a backup, Gustavsson, who hasn't exactly dazzled when he's been healthy, things can change in a hurry. The Maple Leafs did not add any veteran goaltending depth to their organization in the off-season, so it will be a group of basically inexperienced kids trying to get them into the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

So where does Mark Owuya fit into the equation? Well, in all likelihood he'll start the season in the ECHL with Reading, just the way Reimer did four years ago.

Owuya played decently against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night and then took the loss as the Ottawa Senators beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night. He didn't have a bad game, but nor did he do anything to suggest he'll be waiting in the wings if Reimer stumbles out of the gate.

In 32 games with Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League last season Owuya posted 2.18 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. He understands there are significant differences playing in a rink that is smaller than he is accustomed to, but doesn't feel that should be an excuse or a crutch for bad play.

"A lot of people back home told me that the angles are different in NHL rinks, but to me it's a bad excuse," Owuya said. "Of course it's different, but no matter what, you still have to stop the puck. Actually I think it would be harder for a goalie to go from playing on a North American-sized rink to playing on the bigger European rinks."

Owuya made a couple of nifty glove saves in the opening period, but then allowed a quick 20-foot snap shot to beat him - a goal he would certainly love to have back. Toronto feel behind 2-0, but tied it and then trailed 3-2 in the third before forcing overtime with Owuya pulled in favor of an extra attacker. Mark Stone scored the winner for the Senators who won the tournament with a 3-0 record.

Owuya is a bit of a project for the Leafs, but goalie coach Francois Allaire - who has known the youngster since he was 15 - is convinced the kid has what it takes to make the NHL. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound stopper attended Allaire's goalie schools in Europe and was signed as a free agent by the Maple Leafs in April.

"Mark is a good athlete," said Allaire said. "He has a very solid build for a 21-year-old. You don't often see goalies who are as toned as he is. He had a very good year last season playing in Sweden and now he has to come here and learn to play the North American game. It is an adjustment for European goalies, but I am confident he can come over and be a very good goalie.

"When I started working with him as a 15-year-old, he was very rough around the edges. He has worked very hard on his game and now it's time for him to come over here and see if he can make it in this business."

Owuya said he has no timetable in terms of when he sees himself playing in the NHL. His game plan is simple.

"My goal is to simply work hard on and off the ice," he said. "I will do whatever I am asked to do. I have never played in the NHL or the AHL or the ECHL so it is all new to me. But working hard is not new."

If the Leafs are going to make the playoffs this season - and that is a big IF - they will need excellent goaltending. Reimer surprised many last season by getting the Leafs into the playoff race and he'll get the chance to lead the team this year. But when it comes to goalies, well...

"You know things can change very quickly," Allaire said. "Last year at the start of the season Reimer was No. 3 on our depth chart and Ben Scrivens was No. 5. By the end of the year Reimer was No. 1 and Scrivens was No. 3."

ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE: The entire cast of rookies that appeared in the rookie tournament in Oshawa will pick up and move down the 401 to the Maple Leafs main camp. Players will take physicals Friday and will begin practicing on Saturday. "I told the players if they work and grow and support one another as a group then that will take care what happens to individuals," said Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who guided the rookies in Oshawa.

SEEN AND HEARD: One of the great stories for the Leafs rookies is Mitchell Heard, a walk-on who was thrilled when he found out he'd been invited to the Leafs main training camp. "I can't find the words to describe how I feel right now," said Heard, wearing a monster-sized grin. "It's a pretty exciting day. I tried to take each day as a learning experience and now I have been rewarded." Heard scored against Pittsburgh Sunday and set up the tying goal late in the third period Tuesday night. He showed great poise and patience with the puck in the offensive zone; not to mention a solid drive for the net.