Senators Sidelined: Norris Faces Indefinite Outing due to Shoulder Injury

Josh Norris, forward for the Ottawa Senators, is currently sidelined indefinitely due to a shoulder injury. This unfortunate setback comes after Norris only played eight games last season, during which he injured his shoulder in a match against the Arizona Coyotes on October 22. Although he made a return on January 18 and played three more games, his season ultimately ended due to surgery.

Despite high hopes that Norris would be ready for training camp and the preseason, it appears that he will not be able to participate. Senators coach D.J. Smith expressed his concern, stating, “It’s concerning. When I’m planning my lineup during the summer months, I have him as a key player. But now, I’ve been informed that he won’t be able to play. While we will continue with our current strategies, it’s clear that both Josh and the team are eager for his return.”

Norris, who achieved three points (two goals, one assist) last season, was expected to play alongside Vladimir Tarasenko and Drake Batherson on the second line, as well as feature in the top power-play unit.

Smith further elaborated on the situation, sharing, “The training staff and doctors have informed me that Josh won’t be able to play. It’s an unfortunate situation since we know how much he wants to play hockey. As a coaching staff, we’ve had to make adjustments, especially to our power play. We always rely on Josh in that one-time spot. Never did we imagine that we would start the season without him, but unfortunately, it seems to be the case.”

On July 14, 2022, Norris signed a lucrative eight-year contract worth $63.6 million ($7.95 million average annual value) with the Senators. Throughout his career, he has accumulated an impressive 93 points (54 goals, 39 assists) in 133 regular-season games, all of which were played with Ottawa. In the 2021-2022 season, he achieved a career-high of 35 goals in 66 games.

Smith expressed his frustration with the situation, saying, “It’s frustrating for everyone involved. Josh is a crucial part of this team. However, we can only adopt a ‘next-guy-up’ mentality and focus on what we need to do.”

The Senators recently concluded their preseason with a match against the Montreal Canadiens. They are set to commence their regular season against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.