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Coming back emotional for both Sharp, Oduya

The emotions started to hit Patrick Sharp well before he ever got to the United Center on Saturday to take on his former teammates in the preseason finale for the Blackhawks and Stars.

After 10 years playing for one franchise, 10 years of calling Chicago home, 10 years of raising a family here - all the while winning three championships in the process - that fact should certainly come as no surprise.

"(The toughest moment was) probably just landing in Chicago and driving in," Sharp said after the Hawks won 4-0. "I haven't been here since the week after we won. I mentioned it kind of feels like home, so it was a little difficult."

During pregame warm-ups, Sharp first acknowledged the fans along the glass with a wave of his stick. Then he gave Jonathan Toews a hug at center ice. Then a fist bump to Andrew Shaw. Then a brief conversation with Toews.

So what was it like on the ice?

"It was a little difficult to be honest with you," Sharp said. "Kind of happy to do it in the preseason to get a feel for what it's going to be like a few times. Lot of emotions out there.

"I know it's just a preseason game, but it's kind of neat to be back in the United Center. Some very special things happened here for me."

Once the puck dropped, Sharp - never shy about shooting the puck - didn't take long to fire one at Corey Crawford. Just seconds into the game, Sharp flew down the left side of the Hawks' zone and let one fly, but it sailed high.

Sharp finished with 5 shots on goal in 18:22 of ice time. He closes out the preseason with 1 goal and 1 assist in four appearances.

After the game, he and fellow former Hawk Johnny Oduya - also now a Star - spent some time talking with Brent Seabrook, Andrew Shaw, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane outside the teams' locker rooms. Coach Joel Quenneville jumped in to have a few words as well.

"Guys were a big part of our success here and wish 'em well," Quenneville said.

"It was kind of weird. Definitely," said Hossa, who met his former teammates before the game. "You hate to see great guys leaving. On the other hand, we know it's part of the business."

At $5.9 million, Sharp is the second-highest paid player on the Stars and is expected to add another dimension to an already dangerous offense.

As for Oduya, he's gone to a team that allowed the fewest goals in the entire NHL to one that allowed the third-most goals in the Western Conference. He believes the Stars, who have made the playoffs just once in the last seven seasons, can take the next step if they learn how to play well in both ends of the ice.

"We're optimistic," Oduya said. "We've got a good, young team. We're hungry so we want to move forward."

Sharp said the transition has been a good one.

"We're all moved in, ready to start the season," he said. "Feeling good about hockey, feeling good about life away from the rink, and ready to go."

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell skates during practice at the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 5, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Chicago Blackhawks lead the best-of-seven games series against the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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