Report: Senators Have Definitive Plans for Josh Norris

Ottawa Senators' center Josh Norris's name has cropped up in trade rumors on occasion this season, but now we're hearing something more definitive from insider Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. And it sounds like the Sens are absolutely set on trying their best to expunge Norris from their roster. 

League executives say the Senators would like to get centre Josh Norris and his $7.95-million salary cap hit off the books.

Norris has more than five years still to run on that hefty contract, so as Garrioch says, accomplishing that will be easier said than done.  "Not many teams can take on that contract without giving Ottawa something back".

Norris, 25, came into the season off another injury-riddled and disappointing year in 2023-24, playing in just 50 games and registering 16 goals. It's a far cry from his breakthrough year in his second full season in 2021-22, when he posted 35 goals and 55 points in 66 games—a season that earned him his current huge contract. 

To say it hasn't paid off for the Senators to this point is an understatement. So far, in two and a half seasons on the deal, about $20 million in salary later, Norris has played 99 games and has 32 goals total to show for it. He's had three shoulder surgeries over that span. 

This year, Norris has 14 goals and 23 points in 41 games to go with a plus/minus rating of -11. 

The former first-rounder (19th overall, 2017 NHL Draft) has certainly proven that he can deliver, but that was three years ago now, and until he does it again, there will be questions surrounding him. 

Photo: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images