Since being a former first-round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2017, Josh Norris has had huge potential placed on his shoulders. When Norris was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2018 as part of the Erik Karlsson trade, the Senators knew they were receiving a promising prospect.
Norris showed his promise in the 2020-21 season when he made the NHL All-Rookie Team. In the following 2021-22 season, Norris grew more when he recorded a 55-point season.
After Norris' 55-point season, he signed an eight-year contract to remain a Senator. However, Norris has struggled with health issues and his play since signing his extension, and it's starting to hurt the Senators more than ever.
Norris' salary per year for his play is starting to be a concern more than ever
Norris will make $7.95 million per year until 2030. The Senators locked up Norris in 2022 to be a long-term core member, but his play since he signed the extension hasn't quite lived up.
In the first season after signing the extension, Norris recorded just three points in eight games played. Last season, Norris played in 50 games and recorded 30 points. This season while missing eight games, Norris is tied for second on the Senators with 19 goals, but he has 31 points. For a player that's making $7.95 million per year, Norris has to be better.
At 25 years old, Norris still could have some trade value. Earlier in November, Norris' name was mentioned in trade rumors. Although he hasn't been traded away, Norris still could draw some interest from other teams.
Norris won't have his 10-team no trade clause list hit until the 2026-27 season. The Senators could use that over the next year and a half to their advantage on what team to trade Norris to if they want to trade him.
When Norris is healthy and making plays, his impact is important. Unfortunately, injuries and inconsistency have hurt the Senators lately with Norris. In 28 of his 52 games played this season, Norris went pointless in the game. Norris' -6 rating is the eighth worst on the Senators.
Despite being the third highest paid forward on the Senators behind Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux each have more points than Norris this season, and both of them are paid less than Norris.
Norris will be relied on deeply for the Senators to make a playoff push. Norris needs to start living up to his contract to help the Senators get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Tomorrow night's game against the Blackhawks will be another game for Norris to start heating up with the Senators currently one point out of a playoff spot.