Patrick Kane said he expects Adam Burish "to create some mix-up" in the first 10 seconds of his first shift tonight against the Los Angeles Kings.
"He'll be flying tonight," Kane said.
Burish, out since the preseason with a torn ACL, will play for the first time this season tonight vs. the Kings. It will be Burish's first meaningful game since the Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Hawks from the playoffs last season.
Burish is the Hawks' agitator and should give them a spark on the fourth line. He is the team's prankster, but also the first one to mix it up on the ice.
"I want to smack someone," said Burish, a go-to player for the media. "I want to get that first hit. I just want that confrontation. I can't wait for that. I can't wait to get in someone's face. I can't wait to hit somebody."
The Hawks have missed that type of spunk and energy.
"He's excited about [playing]," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We could really use that enthusiasm that he brings [and] his energy, his speed, his competitiveness."
Slap shots: Quenneville said Brent Sopel (lower body) will return to the lineup vs. the Kings ... Forward Colin Fraser will be a scratch.
I can't wait to see Burish back. But instead of sending Colin Fraser to the bench, how about showing Kopecky the healthy scratch? This guy has been useless to the Hawks this year. Fraser brings energy and is good in the face off circle. Kopecky brings nothing except someone for Hossa to talk to on the bench. Just a thought.