Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for finally ending their lengthy Stanley Cup drought.

It took 49 years but the Cup is back in the Windy City. The Blackhawks needed six games and OT in the finale to take care of the Philadelphia Flyers in the final. Patrick Kane snapped the puck into the net for the OT and series winner, but he was the only one who knew it went in at first. Kane streaking down the ice and throwing off his equipment should have told everyone what happened.

The Hawks, like Pittsburgh last season, have the makings of a dynasty team with so much young talent locked up to long contracts. Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Toews and Kane are both locked up for the next five years, while Duncan Keith, who could take home the Norris Trophy, will likely finish his career in Chicago after signing a 13-year contract.

Stanley Cup futures for next season aren't available yet, but when they are don't be surprised if neither the Blackhawks or the Penguins are on top of the list. The Hawks and Pens may be the last two Cup champs, but look for Washington to be the Cup favorite when the odds surface. Washington may have tanked in the postseason, but with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, and Alex Semin all back, and the motivation to bounce back from this season's failure around, the oddsmakers won't be down on the Caps.

The Blackhawks and Penguins should follow the Capitals, but don't be surprised if the oddsmakers give the Sharks the boot from their regular haunt among the Cup favorites. San Jose could see some big names depart during the offseason with Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Nabokov entering free agency, and Rob Blake retiring.

The Sharks aren't the only team that could lose some stars to free agency in the offseason. The big name available is Ilya Kovalchuk, as long as the rumors of him getting huge money in the KHL aren't true. A few other forwards available include the aforementioned Marleau, Olli Jokinen, and Tomas Plekanec, and Bobby Ryan tops the restricted list. There are also a few talented blueliners available, including Sergei Gonchar, Pavel Kubina, Willie Mitchell, and, if he doesn't retire, Scott Niedermayer.

NHL free agency begins July 1 so take note of the Cup odds later this week, because they could start to change when the calendar turns over.