The Ottawa Senators received a significant blow to their lineup as it was confirmed that center Josh Norris will miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery.
Norris, who has undergone three surgeries on his left shoulder in recent years, faces an uncertain timeline for his return, leaving the Senators to navigate the rest of the season without their key pivot.
Norris’ absence has forced the Senators to make strategic moves, placing him on injured reserve on February 29 and subsequently transferring him to long-term injured reserve the next day.
This maneuver provides much-needed salary cap relief, allowing the team to field a full roster and overcome previous instances where cap constraints led them to dress a skater short.
The 24-year-old center faced challenges throughout the current season, starting on injured reserve after a setback in his recovery from a second shoulder surgery conducted in January 2023.
Josh Norris’ Persistent Shoulder Struggles
Despite returning to the lineup in mid-October, Josh Norris struggled to replicate his impressive 2021-22 performance, tallying 16 goals and 30 points over 50 appearances. This latest shoulder surgery marks another setback for Norris, who has been plagued by consistent shoulder injuries.
Limited to just eight games last season, he will have played only 35 percent of the Senators’ games since 2022 by the end of this campaign. With six years remaining on his contract, Norris also holds a 10-team no-trade list from July 1, 2026, onwards.
Adding to the Senators’ challenges, depth center Rourke Chartier will be sidelined for approximately one week with an upper-body injury. With both Norris and Chartier out, the team faces the task of recalling a forward from AHL Belleville to ensure a full lineup for their upcoming game against the Penguins.
As the Senators navigate these depth challenges, the long-term impact of Norris’ absence raises questions about the team’s strategy moving forward and the potential adjustments needed to maintain competitiveness in the league.
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