Now, he must regain the respect of the coaches and players within the organization. Legein, 20, arrived in Columbus yesterday to take a physical and meet with Jackets management, the first steps in returning to the game.

Legein, the Jackets' second-round pick in the 2007 draft, stunned the franchise during the summer when he informed general manager Scott Howson that he would not attend training camp. Legein cited a loss of passion.

"It wasn't that I didn't like hockey. I was just a little bit stressed, a little bit drained, and I didn't want to come in here any thing less than 100 percent," Legein said. "All I did was recharge my battery."

Howson, who remained in Ottawa for the world junior championships, did not attend the meeting. He said Legein will report to minor-league Syracuse and it will be up to the Crunch coaching staff when to play him.

Legein said he understands he's starting over on the organization's bottom rung and has no timetable for making it to the NHL. The desire to be a dominant player, he said, not the need for money is what brought him back.

He denies working in an Ontario pizza shop -- one of many rumors surrounding his hiatus. The most hurtful one, he says, was that he had a drug problem.

After Legein finished his season in juniors last spring, the forward reported to the Crunch for its playoff run, but he either left the team or was asked to leave it after playing just two games.

"It was selfish on my part," Legein said. "The farm team was in the playoffs and Columbus wanted me to keep playing, but I was so drained I couldn't do it.

"I do have some (fence mending), but players are usually quick to forget and they won't hold it over my head, I hope. If the guys don't forgive me, it's my job to keep working hard until they see that they have to."

Injury update

Forward Jason Chimera (groin) made the trip to Detroit, but is not expected to play until Friday. Coach Ken Hitchcock wants to give defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (knee) a few more practices before inserting him in the lineup. Forward Jared Boll (lower body) practiced for about 30 minutes and his status for tonight's game is uncertain. Hitchcock said the team would recall a player from Syracuse if Boll is unable to play.

treed@dispatch.com