The 2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season was the team's 83rd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). For the second year in a row, the Blackhawks made a noteworthy transaction in the free agency period, signing forward Marian Hossa to the largest deal in franchise history. The Blackhawks sought to improve upon their success during the 2008–09 season, where they reached the Western Conference Finals. Expectations were extremely high for the young squad, with Sports Illustrated predicting them to win the Stanley Cup. On June 9, 2010, The Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2, in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals which gave the organization its first NHL championship since 1961 and fourth overall