After nine failed season in Northern California, the Seals moved to Ohio, hoping to snatch up the fan base left behind by the WHA's Crusaders who had just moved to Minnesota. The Barons would play in the Richfield Coliseum an hour drive away from Cleveland since the old Cleveland Arena was considered too small.

However, the Richfield Coliseum, which at the time was the largest building in the NHL at 18,544 seats would never even come close to being sold out, as the Barons only broke the 10,000-mark seven times in 41 home games. The Barons would get off to a slow start settling to the bottom of the Adams Division early in the season.

Midway through the season, Owner Mel Swig announced the team might have trouble even finishing the season, as they had difficulty meeting payroll. In February the Barons missed payment twice, to keep the team running the NHL and NHLPA had to loan the team $1.

3 million to rescue the Barons' sinking ship. The Barons would go on to finish in last place finish with a record of 25-42-13.

Following the season, the team would get a new lease on life when George Gund III purchased controlling interest in the club.