Kane just happy to be on line with Hossa

SAN JOSE, Calif. - For Patrick Kane, left is all right.

When Marian Hossa makes his much-anticipated Blackhawks debut tonight against the Sharks at HP Pavilion, it will be at right wing on a potential super line with Jonathan Toews and Kane.

That means Kane will shift from his customary and comfortable spot at right wing to accommodate the all-star Hossa.

"He's obviously been in the league a lot longer than I have and he's done some special things over there," Kane said. "Hopefully we're moving around in the offensive zone pretty good and we won't have to worry about sides, but it's something I'll probably have to get comfortable with.

"I should just be happy to be on his line no matter where I'm playing. Hopefully we can do some damage."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has used Kane on the left side before and doesn't see it as a big deal.

"It's a situation where Marian hasn't played in awhile and he likes the right side," Quenneville said. "When they're just playing hockey, their instincts will take over anyway. We'll see how it plays itself out."

Hossa's first game comes almost four months to the day he underwent shoulder surgery (July 24) to repair a damaged rotator cuff.

"It's been four months and I feel good on the ice and ready to go," Hossa said. "It's a new team and I haven't played a game yet with these guys, so I'll try to blend right in, keep it simple and just use my instincts the first couple games."

Hossa is eager to skate with Toews and Kane.

"It's two young and talented stars," Hossa said. "Anybody can handle the puck on the line so try to play give-and-go and don't be too fancy. Keep it simple, go to the net and shoot the puck."

Smooth as silk

Joel Quenneville liked the look of the power play's first unit in practice Tuesday with Marian Hossa a part of it with Patrick Kane, Dustin Byfuglien and point men Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker.

It's a power play that could be difficult to defense with the potential for Versteeg and Byfuglien to play low or the point and Hossa seemingly everywhere.

"We've changed a few of the looks, and I think (Hossa) enhances the play selections," Quenneville said. "Practicing it today, I liked the way he moved around and was definitely changing the angles and the looks.

"It's on and off his stick, whether it's a shot or a pass. He sees plays and he looks for seams and holes. That will be something fun to watch."

Here's the bet

Marian Hossa will finish with more goals than Minnesota's Martin Havlat, even though Havlat has had a seven-week head start.

Havlat has only 2 goals in 19 games for the Wild and is minus-14.

Around the rinks

• As impressive as Coyotes general manager Don Maloney thought Chris Chelios was when he scouted him two weekends ago with the Wolves, Maloney decided not to sign the 47-year old defenseman.

However, it's believed a number of teams remain intrigued by Chelios.

• Buffalo's Lindy Ruff is the longest tenured coach in all of pro sports.

In the 12 years Ruff has been behind the bench for the Sabres, there have been 148 coaching changes in the NHL and 453 in the NHL, NBA, NFL and major-league baseball combined.

• In the first draft rankings of the season, Windsor center Taylor Hall is projected to be the No. 1 pick next June.

The list

These players are being paid by their former teams not to play. Here are their cap hits.

1. Alexei Yashin, Islanders: Playing in Russia but getting $3.23 million from the Isles.

2. Glen Murray, Boston: Not in the league anymore but getting $1.383 million from the Bruins.

3. Todd Bertuzzi, Anaheim: Playing for the Red Wings but getting $1.33 million from the Ducks.

4. Jay McKee, St. Louis: Earning $1.33 million from the Blues for being bought out and now plays in Pittsburgh.

5. Curtis Brown, Blackhawks: His $456,000 still is counting against the Hawks' cap from being bought out in 2006.

Ex-Hawk of the week

Nobody said this had to be an active player.

While some suggest Sharks GM Doug Wilson is on the hot seat after several playoff flops, it's hard to believe that's the case.

Is there a more shrewd GM in the league than Wilson when it comes to trading? Wilson stole future Hall of Fame center Joe Thornton from Boston several years back and last summer took a chance on Dany Heatley and the gamble has paid off big time. Heatley has 18 goals already and could score 50 playing with Thornton.