The Ottawa Senators had high hopes for Josh Norris when they acquired him in 2018 in part of the Erik Karlsson trade with the San Jose Sharks. Norris first showed flashes by making the 2021 All-Rookie Team.
Then in the 2021-22 season, Norris exploded for 35 goals and signed an eight-year extension at $7.95 million per year. However, injuries then became a huge issue with Norris in Ottawa. Those issues in Ottawa came to an end when Norris was traded to the Buffalo Sabres this past March at the trade deadline.
Without Norris on the team, the Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Now in Buffalo, Norris does have the golden opportunity to prove the Senators wrong for trading him with a recent trade that was made.
Peterka being traded to Utah puts more pressure for Norris to carry Buffalo's offense, goal scoring
Late last night before midnight, the Sabres traded away JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. Peterka was a rising star who recorded a 68-point season on a struggling Sabres team in 2024-25, and some Sens fans wanted the Senators to trade for the 23-year-old forward. Now with Peterka traded to Utah, it puts more pressure on Norris to become Buffalo's go-to offensive player next to Tage Thompson.
Norris has shown flashes with being a goal scorer in Ottawa. Prior to getting traded in March, Norris had 20 goals on the season. Of Norris' 156 career points, 90 of them are goals.
Norris will be in need of a bounce back season in Buffalo at 26 years old. Following being traded to the Sabres, Norris recorded two points in three games. Norris was sidelined due to injuries and didn't get the chance to really show his full potential in Buffalo.
With Peterka gone, the Sabres offense can now have high focus surrounding Norris. Having Thompson on the same team can help Norris elevate his game more. Norris and Thompson do have the ability to be a dynamic one-two punch in Buffalo, but it will have to happen quickly.
The Sabres will need another player to desperately fill in Peterka's role and provide scoring, and that is where Norris can shine if he stays healthy.
A big risk the Sabres have with Norris is he is the highest paid forward on the roster. However, Norris will have to show why he is worth the money and produce a solid season in Buffalo. Ottawa has been happy with the impact Dylan Cozens had in two months following the trade.
Both Norris and Cozens will have pressure on them in the 2025-26 season with it being their first full season with their teams, but Norris may have more pressure due to the Peterka trade to Utah.