Josh Norris was a fan favorite when he was a member of the Ottawa Senators. In 2021, Norris made the NHL All-Rookie Team. Then, Norris delivered in the following 2021-22 season with scoring 35 goals.
Over the next three seasons, injuries became an issue with Norris in Ottawa. One-hundred-fourteen combined games were missed by Norris over the past three seasons combined before his Senators tenure ended in March 2025 when he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres.
The Norris trade sent shock waves in Ottawa, but Dylan Cozens' impact in 21 games was strong to help lift the Senators to the 2025 playoffs. However, there was one area where Norris delivered in last season before getting traded that the Senators will need to fill-in for the 2025-26 season.
Norris came through with shorties last season before being traded
In 53 games played last season in Ottawa before being traded, Norris scored 20 goals. Of his 20 goals, three of them were shorthanded goals. Although it was only three goals, the Senators will need to find another player to score shorthanded goals for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Norris' three shorthanded goals last season was tied for the most on the Senators roster with Shane Pinto. Norris was one of just four Senators to score a shorthanded goal last season. What might sound shocking to some is that Norris didn't record any shorthanded goals until last season. Norris was able to find success in a new area for the first time in his career last season.
Norris being able to still be tied for first on the Senators in shorthanded goals at the end of the season despite being traded showed his talents with his shorthanded scoring abilities along with Pinto.
Last season, Ridly Greig scored two shorthanded goals and Noah Gregor scored one shorthanded goal, but Gregor was traded at the trade deadline by the Senators this past March to the San Jose Sharks.
This upcoming season, the Senators will need to find players on the roster that are capable of scoring shorthanded goals like Norris did last season. Although Pinto and Greig can carry that work load in 2025-26 to score shorthanded goals, more players will have to emerge.
If Norris is healthy this season, he has a chance to prove the Senators wrong if he thrives in Buffalo. However, the Senators will need to get shorthanded scoring abilities in which Norris was able to provide last season.