Chicago Blackhawks: Top Post-Lockout Rivals, Part I

Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) and Dallas Stars left wing

(21) fight during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8: Dallas Stars

Blackhawks’ record against since 2005: 23-16-2

Past irritants: Mike Ribeiro

Current irritants: Vernon Fiddler, Antoine Roussel

This is another team that, with more meetings as a result of conference realignment, could become a bigger rival of the Blackhawks. Dallas is once again pushing to make noise with moves for Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya and Antti Niemi. Apparently we’re going to have two Blackhawks South locations now.

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The one thing that could make for a really good rivalry with Dallas is the Stars have serious skill to match up against Chicago’s serious skill. While Dallas’ blue line is lacking, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn exist up front. With Kane and Jonathan Toews on the other side, that’s some serious long-term star power there.

Games between these teams are good for a Roussel-Andrew Shaw fight now and again, which is probably the focal point of this rivalry as it currently exists. Roussel elicits a pretty negative reaction from many Chicago fans, but I actually like the way he plays. I would’ve gladly welcomed him over here in the Sharp trade instead of grabbing Ryan Garbutt. Meanwhile, Vernon Fiddler annoys me to no end, and I can’t give a great reason why.

This team employed Ribeiro for nearly 500 games, so we can make room in our hearts for a disdain of the Stars.

Next: Who's No. 7?

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