Senators Rumors: Star Forward Becoming Trade Candidate

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Ottawa Senators were expected to take a big step forward. On paper, their roster looked significantly better, and many thought that this would finally be the season where they got back into the playoffs. Instead, they have been one of the NHL's worst teams for the entire season, and changes to their roster are expected to be on the way with the deadline right around the corner.

While pending UFA forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik are understandably creating trade chatter, a surprising Senator is now being viewed as a trade candidate. According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Josh Norris has been creating some buzz in the trade market.

Here is what the insider had to say on the matter: "One name making the rounds lately out of Ottawa is Josh Norris. The Senators are not shopping him, but teams have been calling and the Sens are listening. Norris is in the second year of an eight-year, $63.6 million contract and if he’s dealt, I imagine it would be part of a large talent-for-talent hockey trade."

As Pagnotta noted, Norris is signed to a big, long-term contract, and the expectation was that he was guaranteed to be a major part of the Sens' core for years to come back of it. However, with this development, that may not be as set in stone as once believed.

Norris, 24, is having a bit of a down season in 2023-24, as he has 15 goals and 28 points in 47 games. While these totals are not bad, he has shown in the past that he can contribute far more.

We will need to wait and see if the Senators make a big splash and move Norris from here.