Gonna go for an obscure one, but reading about the history of the Montreal Maroons was something.
Unlike all the others on the list, they actually had success with cup wins. They had a short, but storied history and were the first original team to play in the Forum.
Also, the rivalry with the Habs was something else too, since English montrealers gravitated to the Maroons.
Finally. Their jerseys were simple and sleek.
My late grandfather was a fan of the Maroons. As you suggested, there was a real divide - English speaking Montrealers supported the Maroons, while French speakers supported the Canadiens.
In addition to two Stanley Cups, they had some notable players - such as Nels Stewart, a forgotten great. He was the NHL's all-time goal-scoring leader for nearly 20 years (eventually surpassed by Maurice Richard). He also won two Hart trophies.
My grandfather said that when the Maroons folded, he lost interest in hockey.