TORONTO -- Pat Quinn proved he was feeling fine by trading jokes and gruffly challenging reporters' questions on Monday, his first day back as the Toronto Maple Leafs' head coach after receiving treatment for heart problems.

``I'm sure you're all experts on intensity,'' Quinn said sarcastically when asked about underperforming Maple Leafs forward Robert Reichel.

It was vintage Quinn, who spent most of last week in a Toronto hospital. Quinn, released on Friday, missed Games 3 and 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference series, which Carolina leads 3-2.

Joining his team on the ice for practice, Quinn said he'll be behind the bench for Game 6 in Toronto on Tuesday. And he added that he's cleared travel to Carolina if there is a Game 7 on Thursday.

Quinn, who has never enjoyed long sessions with reporters, grew impatient when the press conference passed 15 minutes.

``You trying to make up for the three games I missed?'' Quinn said with a smile. ``I've been away too long.''

It was clear that Quinn, who once referred to the lure of coaching as an aphrodisiac, was back in his element.

``Obviously, feeling better was the big thing, and I'm at the point where I can resume my responsibilities,'' said Quinn. ``Other than to say, 'I'm fine, and I'm happy to be back,' should be the end of it.''

Complaining of shortness of breath and having trouble sleeping, Quinn was first diagnosed with the condition a day after the series opener in Raleigh, N.C. After coaching Game 2, Quinn's condition acted up on May 21, when he was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Quinn was released to coach Game 4 last Thursday, but did not make the trip to Carolina for Toronto's 1-0 victory on Saturday.

The 59-year-old Quinn admitted that the illness frightened him to a degree, particularly considering he has an annual checkup, which includes stress and heart testing.

``To be confronted with that within a year of the last test doesn't seem to make any sense,'' said Quinn. ``I don't know what the right answer is, but it happened. I don't even know what message I want to pass on: Don't trust your testers? I don't know.''

Quinn is overweight, and has a well-known penchant for smoking cigars and drinking scotch. Doctors have already demanded that he improve his lifestyle.

Asked if he will take that advice, Quinn looked at a number of reporters and said: ``There are a lot of people that live a lot worse than anything I do.''

It's been a busy year for Quinn, who also coached in the NHL All-Star Game as well as leading Canada to a gold-medal victory in last February's Olympics.

Quinn, who also doubles as the Maple Leafs' general manager, said he'll discuss his workload with team president Ken Dryden, as he does after every season.

Assessing his team's chances, Quinn said the Maple Leafs have played inconsistently this series.

``We have the possibility of being even better, but our best game needs to happen here tomorrow night and we have to be ready for that,'' Quinn said.

Leafs players welcomed back their coach.

``It's sure nice to see him back on the ice,'' Jonas Hoglund said. ``And he's going to be back coaching us tomorrow night, so that certainly feels good.''