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Burmistrov expecting ‘weird, awkward’ return to Winnipeg

Florida Panthers v Winnipeg Jets

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 11: Alexander Burmistrov #8 of the Winnipeg Jets takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Florida Panthers at the MTS Centre on April 11, 2013 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Lance Thomson/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

It’s been two weeks since the Coyotes claimed Alexander Burmistrov off waivers from the Jets but, because of visa issues, tonight will be just Burmistrov’s second game in an Arizona uniform.

And it’ll be in Winnipeg, against his former team.

“It’s going to be a special night,” Burmistrov said, per NHL.com. “I’m sure it’s going to be weird, awkward, seeing your ex-teammates skating on the other side in the warmup.”

It’s been a weird, awkward season for the 25-year-old Russian. After appearing in 81 games last year -- racking up a career-high 21 points -- he became an afterthought in Winnipeg, often sitting as a (frustrated) healthy scratch.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice acknowledged the role Burmistrov wanted -- something in the top-9 -- probably wasn’t going to happen in Winnipeg, so the club set about letting him get a fresh start elsewhere.

Arizona was happy to grab him.

"[Burmistrov’s] a guy our scouts for a long time have identified as someone they think has got more potential than what he’s shown,” GM John Chayka said shortly after the waiver claim, per the Coyotes website. "(Claiming him) was unanimous across the board with our scouts, which is actually fairly rare.”

Burmistrov played a fairly significant role in his first game with the Coyotes. He received just under 18 minutes of ice time and finished with an assist in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Oilers, getting the primary helper on Radim Vrbata’s power-play goal.