Does 2015 Stanley Cup Make Chicago Blackhawks a Dynasty?

The Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions once again, and are already odds favorites to win it again next year. Many are calling them a dynasty team, but can they live up to that title?

This is the Blackhawk’s third time winning the Cup since 2010, and they did it in a game 6, 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the first game of the series that either team held a lead of more than one goal, and gave the Blackhawks their first win on home ice in Chicago since 1938.

“It was by far our hardest series,” said Keith. “You saw how close the games were every time. A few games obviously could have gone both ways, but we found a way.”

The impossibly close series between Chicago and Tampa Bay is just the second in NHL history to have each game decided by one goal. Heading in to game 6, it seemed almost destined to be decided by strange luck or a last-second clutch play. In the end, Corey Crawford came up big for Chicago, making 25 stops in the game 6 shutout, denying several good scoring opportunities for the Lightning, including a breakaway by the Bolts star forward Steven Stamkos.

Take a look at some of the NHL prop bets on next season’s draft.

A Chicago Blackhawks Dynasty?

With their third Championship in six years, the question is: are the Blackhawks a dynasty? The debate has already begun. Several will argue that the years other teams won between the years Chicago raised the cup, disqualify them as a true dynasty. Others argue that the parity caused by the NHL’s salary cap makes it even more appropriate to call the team a dynasty.

Whichever side of the argument you fall on, one thing is certain: the Blackhawks will have a hard time keeping the current team together with the juggling that needs to be done with current contracts and salaries.

The Blackhawks are an incredibly deep team, but the upcoming cap crunch is tough to ignore. Chicago has $65 million tied up in just 14 players for the 2015-16 seasons, meaning something has to give. Kane and Jonathan Teows signed large contracts last off-season, securing their roster spot as two of the best players in the NHL. Chicago couldn’t let them walk last year.

As you begin to move down the roster to Antoine Vermette, who played a crucial role in the Blackhawks run to the Cup this year, and who could leave via free agency if the Blackhawks aren’t able to offer him an agreeable contract. Defenseman Johnny Oduya will also become a free agent. Oduya’s absence would be a huge blow to an already shaky Blackhawks defense that severely lacks depth. Youngster Brandon Saad, just 22 years old and a rising star, needs an extension and will be a priority for Chicago’s front office. Signing Saad would likely mean shipping some of the players who helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Chicago in 2010 and 2013 packing for other cities.

Bryan Bickell signed a monster contract after his performance in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, but failed to live up to his deal and will likely be traded to save cap space. Patrick Sharp will also likely be a candidate to be traded in the off-season as Chicago has younger, cheaper talent that needs to be retained.

The challenge is very real for Chicago, but many thought they couldn’t recover from a similar disbanding after winning the Championship in 2010. They were back in 2013 and are Champions again just two years later. Chicago will have time to celebrate in the coming weeks but the team that takes the ice in the fall might not look anything like it did once the Blackhawks front office goes to work this summer.