(Image Source: NHL.com)

BY CHARLIE MCKEAGUE

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

It's the big story hockey fans have been waiting for.  Finally – nearly a year in the making – the game’s biggest star returns to the lineup.  Sidney Crosby will play in his first NHL game since suffering a concussion back in January.

The news was announced Sunday – and ever since - it’s been the top story in Canada  – Pittsburgh –  and throughout the hockey world.

Tim Wharnsby: “There’s a lot of excitement here (in Pittsburgh) as you might imagine.” (CBC)

Sidney Crosby: “It’s something I’ve thought about a lot over the last 10 months, or whatever it’s been.  So I’m pretty excited.” (TSN)

Gary Green: “All summer long people have been constantly asking that question: When’s Sidney Crosby gonna be back? How’s he doing? How’s he doing in his workouts? So it is just great for the hockey world.” (NHL Network)

Now – those questions can be put to rest – but there are new questions. One of the big ones now:  Will he still be the same player?

ESPN’s Barry Melrose says absolutely. He once compared Crosby to a thoroughbred and says let him loose and watch him dangle.

“I expect Sidney Crosby to be great when he comes back. Mario Lemieux - every time he came back something special happened. Either he scored a goal on his first shift or got a hat trick and I think Crosby is going to be the same way. … I think Sidney Crosby will look fantastic. I think he'll have a great game and it could be one of those magical moments you come to expect with great players.”

The other big question is how much will he play?

Tim Wharnsby tells CBC the Penguins will likely be cautious with him – at least for his first game back.

 “We know that his adrenaline will be going tonight.  They are going to try to hold him back and play him between 12 and 15 minutes.  He normally plays upwards of 20 plus minutes a game.”

So the Penguins will limit his ice time – but how will the league and players respond? Wharnsby notes – the league has already responded – in a big way.

“I will say that there is a different climate in the NHL because of Crosby’s absence.  The rules have changed.  They are a lot more strict on headshots. So I don't think you will see an Islander targeting Sid’s head but I’m sure they are gonna want to test him out.” (CBC)

Crosby’s return will be televised nationally in Canada on CBC – and in the U.S. it’s on Versus.  The puck drops 7pm eastern time.