NHL making changes to ensure Stanley Cup won't arrive late again

The lore surrounding the Stanley Cup doesn't dull with each passing season of the National Hockey League's existence—right down to its arrival time for being brought onto the ice and awarded to the victor.

That mystique took a hit in Chicago last season, when nasty weather and traffic delayed the arrival of Lord Stanley's Mug to the United Center for the champion Blackhawks.

But it sounds like the league is making plans to keep any time lapse from happening again.

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported this week that the National Hockey League, in conjunction with the Hockey Hall of Fame, is beefing up security and travel measures to avoid another delay.

Jeff Denomme, president and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, reportedly told LeBrun via email:

"The Cup will be in the custody of NHL Security at all times during the finals... In the past, the Cup would be with the Hall's Cup Keepers at a hotel away from players and media. Accordingly, certain pregame publicity elements will be revisited."

The usual veil of secrecy and security will probably still surround the well-traveled trophy—it isn't as if they are announcing that Keepers of the Cup are going to stop wearing white gloves to hoist the massive cup around or anything. But it would appear that the NHL is going to be on its toes—at least for the next couple of seasons—making sure that a delay in the Cup's arrival isn't an recurring issue.