By now, we all know the story of 2014-15.
The Blue Jackets entered the season with high expectations, riding a wave of momentum after their first playoff appearance in five years and locking up key pieces of their core in Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Johansen.
And then, well, adversity stuck its foot in the door and barged its way in.
It was injury after injury -- to the team's top players, nonetheless -- that made it difficult for Todd Richards and his staff to ice a consistent lineup while managing a busy first-half schedule.