Savard hopes rivalry with Blues heats up again

There's no denying the once-fierce rivalry between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues has lost much of its luster over the last decade.

"It has a little," said Hawks coach Denis Savard, who played at a time when the only team the Blackhawks and their fans hated more than St. Louis was the Minnesota North Stars.

"It's still a little bit there, but it's not like it used to be in the fact the teams have been on the bottom of it," Savard said. "Now that the teams are on the upswing, we're on our way up together, so it should be fun.

"It should be fun for the fans, and it should be fun for the players."

The game Wednesday at the United Center was the first of eight between the Hawks and Blues this season. With both teams looking to be improved, it could rekindle the rivalry.

"I think it's going to heat up a bit," Savard said. "You see how rivalries are built, it's to play in the playoffs like we played in the '80s and '90s.

"When Colorado played Detroit many years ago in the playoffs two years in a row it created a great rivalry. I hope that both of us make the playoffs and create that rivalry."

Blues coach Andy Murray is hoping for the same thing.

"I think the rivalry between the Hawks and the Blues is getting back to where it used to be because both teams are getting better," Murray said.

Praising the Hawks: Even after beating them 3-1 Wednesday, Blues coach Andy Murray had high praise for the Hawks.

"They're such a good team," Murray said. "I like their team. They've got really good young players and Denny (Savard) has done a good job with them."

A crowd of only 10,002 watched the game, which Murray noticed.

"It's sad to see this building this empty because this is a team worth following," said Murray. "This might be the best sports team in Chicago."

Murray was praising the Hawks before the game as well.

"I think that Denny Savard and (assistant coach) Mark Hardy and their whole coaching staff has done a great job of putting a good structure in place with the Blackhawks," Murray said. "I'm very impressed with the patience in their game right now. I think at times last year you watched the Hawks and it was kind of a scramble out there."

Tough choices: Sitting defensemen Jim Vandermeer and Danny Richmond as healthy scratches isn't an easy decision for Denis Savard.

Vandermeer has sat out the last three games while Richmond has yet to appear in a game this season.

Richmond would need to clear waivers to be sent to Rockford and the Hawks worry he wouldn't get through.

"I want to keep him here," Savard said. "I like his character and what he brings to our team."