The present is not the best of times for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who at 0-5-1 are the only winless team in the NHL. But they should be used to it: There have not really ever been any "best of times" for the Blue Jackets.
In fact, the franchise has never even won a single playoff game since debuting in 2000, getting swept in its one and only playoff appearance in 2009. So what kind of a future does the team have in Columbus? Well, as Sportsnet reports, they have the funding: The Blue Jackets are securely in Columbus until at least 2039 thanks to buying Nationwide Arena, and they currently have the sixth highest payroll in the league.
But they rank 29th in attendance, have yet to win a game nearly two weeks into the season, and players are pressing already in the young season, as Mark Spector reports.
"If we knew (the problem) we wouldn't be losing," explained defenceman Fedor Tyutin, who begins a six-year extension next season. Obviously, there is a problem somewhere, with something. We better figure it out, quick."
The Blue Jackets have not figured out anything quick yet, after a decade in Columbus, but Tyutin sure is right on that there is a problem somewhere, with something.