In 2018, the Ottawa Senators had high hopes for Josh Norris when they acquired him in part of the Erik Karlsson trade with the San Jose Sharks. Norris was a former first-round draft pick of the Sharks back in 2017.
Norris showed early signs of potential in Ottawa by making the 2021 All-Rookie Team, then scoring 35 goals the following season. However, injuries became an issue with Norris for the remainder of his Senators tenure. By 2025, Norris' tenure in Ottawa ended.
This past March, the Senators traded Norris away to the Buffalo Sabres. Although he was acquired by the Sabres five months ago, there still could be reason the Sabres could look into trading away the ex-Senator this upcoming season.
Norris' contract is rough, injuries and a 10-team no trade clause start after this season
There's no doubt that Norris contract is a rough one. Norris has a $7.95 million salary per year until 2030. Norris' salary is the highest among forwards on the Sabres roster at 26 years old, even higher than Sabres star forward Tage Thompson. Along with his injury history and high contract, one more thing can become a factor.
After the 2025-26 season, Norris will have a 10-team no trade clause kick in. If Norris has injury concerns again to go with his contract, the Sabres could try and trade Norris to dump his contract.
Following the trade in March, Norris had a fresh start in Buffalo to show the Sabres his potential, but injuries hit him again. After the trade, Norris played in just three games for the Sabres before being shut down the remainder of the season due to an oblique injury.
Norris' injury concern is one the Senators know too well. Not having to deal with Norris high salary and injury concern can make the Senators happy.
Following his 35-goal season, Norris missed a combined 114 games oveer the next three seasons combined in Ottawa before being traded. Dylan Cozens, who was acquired by the Senators in the trade with the Sabres, has fit well in Ottawa.
Cozens recorded 16 points in 21 games following the trade in Ottawa. Cozens was a main reason why the Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. While Cozens and the Senators made the playoffs, they watched Buffalo deal with more injuries to Norris, and also watch Buffalo miss out on the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year.
Heading into the upcoming 2025-26 season, Norris does have a chance to prove the Senators wrong if he delivers a solid year. Norris will be heavily relied on by Buffalo for offense after the team traded away JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. That is where Norris can fill in for Peterka and provide goal scoring.
However, if injuries and struggling play happen in Buffalo with a large contract, the Sabres could seek interest in trading away the former Senator to another team.