The death of majority owner John H. McConnell on April 25 cast a pall over the city of Columbus and the Blue Jackets.
McConnell, an American business icon for revolutionizing the steel industry, was 84 years old.
A memorial service held on May 7 brought a crowd of 4,261 to Nationwide Arena, including NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and several Blue Jackets players and coaches.
The NHL would not have come to central Ohio not for McConnell, Bettman said.
"He probably would have liked it if we won more often," said Blue Jackets left winger Rick Nash in his eulogy, "and we will, Mr. Mac, I promise.
"We know you'll be with us when we hit the ice next season."
SEASON HIGHLIGHT A six-game point streak in late October and early November helped the Blue Jackets to an 8-3-2 start that was the best in franchise history. At that point, Pascal Leclaire was the hottest goaltender in the league, and the Blue Jackets were scoring just enough to be successful.
TURNING POINT Leclaire had to cool off eventually. When he did, and when backup Fredrik Norrena couldn't deliver, the Blue Jackets' scoring woes because magnified. They had no margin for error. A 2-6-3 record coming out of the All-Star Game break spelled doom.
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C'mon.. 10 straight years of this crap?? never a sniff of the playoffs?? Yet a great fan base, incrediable arena/atmosphere, and local TV & radio support for this???
I'm done with the home team.
It's run badly from the top down.
Empty promise after empty promise after empty promise.
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I think this is the year that they make the playoffs. I think they are getting good veteran pieces together right now and are only about one first line player away from having a playoff team. Hitchcock is a good coach and I think after a year of figuring out what players he has and what players he needs he is poised to take this team to the next level
As a lifelong, diehard Flyers fan, I have to say that I am impressed with what your organization has done this offseason. I think with some of these moves, and the resigning of Leclaire, I think yall will make some noise in the west. Everyone in Chicago here, is pumped up about the Campbell
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I've heard mixed reports with the jackets chances of signing this guy. I've heard we will likely sign him, that we don't have enough money to sign him because a team like the Blue Jackets would have to pay alot to get him, and a few in between. What's the deal here? I would be thrilled if we got this guy. With Umberger and a possible Malon
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Hi Blue Jackets fans, I am a Penguins fan but I come in peace! I was just wondering about Dan Fritsche. Is he a good player and what role does he play? Rumors I have heard around Pittsburgh is t
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