NHL's big change in Stanley Cup Final was a mistake

Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly prepares to present the Stanley Cup trophy. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NHL's big change before Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final was a mistake

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 9, 2024 9:02 AM ET

The NHL threw a bit of a curveball at hockey fans before Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Just before the puck was dropped between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, the NHL brought the Stanley Cup out onto the ice and put it on display for both teams to look at as a reminder of what is at stake over the next two to three weeks.

It was certainly an inspiring visual, but it was also a pretty significant shift from how the Cup is typically treated in this series.

It was the first time since the 1960s that the Cup was actually brought out onto the ice before the start of a series. This should not become a new tradition or habit.

First time since the 1960s that the Stanley Cup Final begins with what’s on the line front and center on the ice. pic.twitter.com/V7Oq2uqZxf
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 9, 2024

At the end of the day, this really is not that big of a deal and nobody is going to be truly angry about it. But it does kind of take away some of the suspense and emotion that comes later in the series as a team gets closer to winning.

The Cup traditionally does not make its first appearance — or arrive in a building — until one team has won three games and is facing a potential Cup-clinching situation. It was always a big deal to say in Games 4, 5, 6 or 7 that "The Cup is in the building tonight." It added to the suspense and drama, and watching the Cup get lifted out of its case in the closing minutes of a potential knockout game as it made its first appearance in the Final was always a dramatic moment.

Now it seems like the NHL just kind of robbed us of that by bringing it out early.

It just seemed tacky, forced and unnecessary. Sometimes traditions are good. Only bringing the Cup when a team has a chance to actually win it is one of those.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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