After setting a franchise record of 108 points and reaching the 50-win mark for the first time, the Columbus Blue Jackets had high expectations entering the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately, they were thwarted by their rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in just five games.
Rather than making excuses on why the team fell flat at the end, the front office went out and completed the biggest trade of the offseason, acquiring Artemi Panarin and Tyler Motte for Brandon Saad and Anton Forsberg. Panarin, the 2016 Calder Trophy winner, is an incredible scoring threat that was much needed in the latter parts of last season.