This was never going to be like any Columbus Blue Jacket season before it. It was always going to be slightly off and it was always going to be a test for both the coaches and players.
Being patient and keeping yourself in line is something a coach can try to impart on his players, a lot of the time it needs to come from themselves.
"I think it's of the utmost importance that we need to be composed away from the puck and not over anxious to create offense," said head coach John Tortorella to the assembled media on October 10.
With only one win this early in the season, the Blue Jackets aren't hitting the panic button. Instead they are taking stock of where they stand and are trying to ensure that consistency is obtained.
"It turns a little bit into instinct," said Tortorella when talking about the patience needed from the team. "You continue doing it. We played three games, I don't think anything's really instinctive right now."
Making sure that the young players are assimilated well is going to be key for the team. Mistakes will be made but mitigating them is going to be the name of the game. It is going to be a long season but it is going to be the difference between winning and losing a lot of these games.
"We cannot afford to wade into this. We have to be a concentrated hockey club playing away from the puck. We have to be. That's the test. Are we able to do it again?"
