Once again it is the news that Ottawa Senators fans dread, it is 2024, and Josh Norris has a shoulder injury, and had to have surgery. Since Joshua Norris left the Nashville Predators games on February 27th, it was reported that he had searched for a second opinion on what to do from a US-based shoulder specialist. He ended up opting for surgery, and as a result, Head Coach Jacques Martin made the announcement he has been placed on retroactive long-term injured reserve back to March 1, 2024. Furthermore, confirmed that he will miss the remainder of 2023-24. In a bit of good news, it is expected that Norris will be ready to go for training camp come September.
Josh Norris Should be Ready for 2024 Training Camp Following Surgery on Shoulder Injury
So far in 2023-24 before the injury, Josh Norris has played decently. His 16 goals and 30 points in 50 games played were a testament to that fact. However, he did seem off slightly. He just didn’t seem like the same guy who put up 35 goals in 66 games back in 2021-22. Much less worthy of the $7.95 M he earns annually until the summer of 2030. Therefore, perhaps it will be beneficial in the long run, and Norris will come back at 100%.
What Does This All Mean for the Senators
Being without their clear number two centre hurt the Senators in 2022-23. Interestingly enough, the same could be said for this year, missing Shane Pinto as their number three centre for the first half of the season. Especially in the fact that Norris just wasn’t playing as hard as you need a centreman to play. But the NHL is a business, and the Senators need to learn how to overcome adversity.
They have guys to step up, and they need to do that and figure out how to win games. Ridly Greig has 21 points in 52 games, Mark Kastelic has four points in 52 games and Pinto 18 points in 21 games. Together these guys hold the centre position on lock, after Tim Stutzle. They need to use the remainder of the season to figure out how to pick up the slack. Otherwise, it will lead to a complicated offseason for General Manager Steve Staios and how to fill the roles.
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