Kovalchuk's fast start one reason for Thrashers' early success

“I talked to him before he left [at the end of the season] last year and one of the things we talked about was his slow start last year,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “He had the Olympic team skate [with Russia] before he got to training camp so I think that helped him get going. He’s been working hard, skating hard in practice. Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come.”

For Kovalchuk, scoring goals is simply his job.

“I’m the forward and every time I’m on the ice I try to score,” Kovalchuk said. “It doesn’t matter how many goals you score the first three or five games. You have to give your team a chance to win every time.”

Legace to play in Chicago

Goaltender Manny Legace signed a professional tryout contract with the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago Monday. Legace was in Thrashers training camp last month but was waived. Following the move, Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said the team would remain in contact with Legace while he tried to secure a job elsewhere.

Legace, a 10-year NHL veteran, won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2002.

The Wolves will carry three goaltenders. Legace’s signing does not affect the contractual status of Drew MacIntyre and Peter Mannino, who are under contract with the Thrashers.

Also, Chris Chelios, a 25-year NHL veteran and three-time Stanley Cup winner, reached a verbal agreement on a professional tryout contract with the Wolves. Chelios, 47, participated in a Wolves practice Monday.

"I'm playing because I love playing," Chelios told the Chicago Tribune. "I have to see if I can still play. It's a challenge."

Reason for concern

Two days after the Thrashers’ first loss of the season, Anderson was still not happy with his team’s effort. The Thrashers dropped a 4-2 decision to Ottawa on Saturday. After allowing two goals in the first two and half minutes, the Thrashers tied the score by the end of the first period. However, the Senators pulled away with goals in the second and third periods.

“I don’t think we competed as well as we should have,” Anderson said. “We did not compete in the corners. We weren’t as good as we were in St. Louis (a 2-1 win Thursday). I hope it doesn’t bite us in the rear end 50 games down the road.

“We can not play that way and expect to make the playoffs.”

Etc.

Defenseman Christoph Schubert did not practice on Monday. He was excused to return to Ottawa to pick up some belongs. Schubert was claimed off re-entry waivers by the Thrashers last week. ... With back-to-back games in New Jersey and Buffalo Friday and Saturday, Anderson said backup goaltender Johan Hedberg would play one of the games. Anderson said which game he'd play has not been decided. ... Anderson said goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who is recovering from off-season back surgery, is still listed as day-to-day. Anderson said the team had no timetable for Lehtonen’s return. ... The Thrashers will not have an on-ice practice Tuesday. Gym workouts and meetings will be held. ... Thrashers assistant coaches Steve Weeks, Todd Nelson and Tony Borgford helped with a youth hockey clinic held at the Duluth IceForum Monday.