from Brian Hedger of BlueJackets.com,

The Blue Jackets have come a long way since Oct. 21, 2015, when an 0-7-0 start led to a coaching change that brought one of the NHL's most successful coaches to Columbus.

Since hiring John Tortorella to run the bench, they've made the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past two seasons, have assembled a roster brimming with talent and feel like the path to winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history is solidly underfoot.

That, above all else, is the reason Tortorella's tenure as the Jackets' head coach has been extended by two years after this season.

"They've done a good job," Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said, group Tortorella in with his staff of assistants. "I think they've earned the right to continue and have that security. I think it's important not just for them, but for the team and the organization to have that stability. We're trending into the right direction, so they can continue the process they've started."

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