NHL manages to ruin one of their best traditions before game 1 even starts

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Josh Tupper
June 9, 2024 (9:03)

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Before game 1 the NHL managed to ruin one of their best traditions when they brought the Stanley Cup on the ice early.

Since the league's founding more than a century ago, it has been home to numerous traditions. However, the NHL has reinstated one of those customs for the first time in more than five years.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers, winners of the Eastern Conference, and the Edmonton Oilers, winners of the Western Conference, got underway on Saturday night with Game 1 held in Sunrise.

The National Hockey League moved the Stanley Cup onto the field prior to Game 1 in order to create excitement for when it is formally awarded in a few weeks.

"The ultimate prize is in the building. 🏆"

The National Hockey League hasn't taken the Stanley Cup out onto the ice to begin a Final since the 1960s, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

However, as TSN's Chris Johnston noted, the NHL held the Stanley Cup above the ice in the stands during Game 1 between Tampa Bay and Dallas during the 2020 COVID bubble.

"First time since the 1960s that the Stanley Cup Final begins with what's on the line front and center on the ice." Michael Russo said.

"It wasn't on the ice, but the NHL did unveil the Stanley Cup in the stands right before puck drop on Game 1 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final inside the COVID bubble." Johnston said.

While it's always special to see the Stanley Cup, given that it is undoubtedly the greatest trophy in all of sports, bringing the trophy out ahead of Game 1 ruins one of the NHL's best lines. Every team and fan loves hearing the famous

"The Stanley Cup is in the building"

A moment reserved for a potential championship clinching game. This is just another example of the NHL trying to fix something that isn't broken