The Red Wings have lost a lot, lately. And they are about to lose Gordie Howe’s name on the Stanley Cup.
Ted Lindsay’s too. Ditto, Alex Delvecchio.
And two of their all-time greats, the goaltender Terry Sawchuk and the defenseman Marcel Pronovost, will remain on the Cup. But as Maple Leafs, not Wings.
Why? Space.
When the names of the 2017 Penguins are engraved as Stanley Cup champions, the last bit of vacant, silver open space on the bottom ring of the cup will be filled. As is tradition, the top ring will be removed and placed on permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.