Kohn Enjoys His Return to Toronto

Right wing Ladislav Kohn said it was as if he had never left Toronto. He visited his favorite restaurant Monday night, not long after the Ducks arrived in town. He chatted with the owner as if they had seen each other only a few days ago.

“I have nothing but great memories,” said Kohn, a former member of the Maple Leafs. “They gave me a chance to play in the NHL. I played at first on the top line with Mats [Sundin] and Steve Thomas. I played in the playoffs. That was another great experience.”

But Kohn was caught in a numbers game in Toronto and the Maple Leafs left him exposed in September’s waiver draft. The expansion Atlanta Thrashers selected him, then dealt him to the Ducks for an eighth-round pick in the 2000 draft.

Kohn has been a bargain for the Ducks. He has six assists in 16 games, although he is still looking for his first goal as a Duck.

“My confidence level isn’t there yet,” he said. “As long as I’m getting chances. . . . I need to get the lucky one. I was always a leading scorer on my teams in juniors and in the minors. I know I can do it. I just have to find a way to put one in the net.”

Coach Craig Hartsburg certainly has no complaints about Kohn’s energetic play on the Ducks’ feisty third line, comprised of center Antti Aalto and left wing Jim McKenzie (filling in for an injured Mike Leclerc).

“Kohn has played very well, but he’s had some tough luck around the net,” Hartsburg said. “He’s been a big plus for us. I didn’t know anything about him [before the trade], but our scouts felt he could help us and he has.”

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Defenseman Jason Marshall was scratched Tuesday for the first time this season. Niclas Havelid, a faster skater and better puck handler, played in Marshall’s place against the speedy Maple Leafs.