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With word of NHL realignment, many have speculated on the future of the Blackhawks-Canucks rivalry.

Last season, the teams went seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks claimed the series with a 2-1 overtime victory.

New conference alignments will ensure the teams meet half as often, and never in the first or second round of the playoffs.

The clubs will meet twice more this season. And if the fire is to cool, the rivalry will burn its hottest before the end of this campaign.

On Monday, Chicago’s checking line center, Dave Bolland, referred to the Canucks Sedin twins as sisters on a local radio show.

Bolland’s a spark plug, a high energy guy. While the front office might not appreciate his comment, it’s not out of character. If nothing else, it made things more interesting.

Not one to stand aside and listen to his team be mocked, Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault fired back a response Wednesday.

According to the Vancouver Province, Vigneault is quoted:

“When you have comments like Bolland’s, he’s obviously an individual whose IQ is probably the size of a bird seed, and he has a face that only a mother can look at.”

Strong words, but IQ won’t come into play if Bolland gets into a fight when the franchises meet again, January 31^st.

Vancouver fans might shrug off the comments, siting Bolland and the Blackhawks as sore losers. Some might hope Bolland underperforms on the ice.

They shouldn’t get too excited though if Bolland struggles in a loss on the 31^st. Considered more of a “Playoff Performer”, his hot start to the season has already tapered off.

While Dave has netted goals seven times through Wednesday’s game, he hasn’t scored and is -3 since November 25.

Energy guys, scrappy guys, tend to be like that, streaky. The only way Vancouver will be able to truly get the best of Dave Bolland is to put him down on the ice, or eliminate the Blackhawks come May.

Ice Insiders Chris Berry Interactive Chris Berry Interactive