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John Hayden excited to join Blackhawks, Scott Darling cleared to return

The Blackhawks are getting some ammo for the stretch run, and potentially the Stanley Cup playoffs as well.

One day after inking a two-year, entry-level contract, John Hayden officially joined the team Monday and is expected to hop into the lineup at some point during the upcoming three-game road trip, likely Thursday against the Ottawa Senators.

"I think he gives us a different element to our team up front," coach Joel Quenneville told reporters Monday. "Some abrasiveness, a little sandpaper, up and down type of guy, to the net, direct player and hard-working kid. I like his approach here talking to him today and where he's at, we're happy to get him signed and into the program as well.