Ryan Kesler says he flipped Alain Vigneault's coin and it said he's playing.

That's how he announced to reporters today that he would officially return to the Canucks lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars.

It will be Kesler's season-debut after off-season surgery on both his shoulder and elbow.

Kesler will be on a line with Chris Higgins and Zack Kassian, and will also return to his regular spot alongside the Sedins on the team's top power-play unit.

"It's very exciting to be back. It's been a long road," says Kesler.