The Ottawa Senators are facing a setback as they prepare to start the regular season without center Josh Norris in their lineup. Coach D.J. Smith confirmed that Norris, 24, is unlikely to be available for the team’s regular-season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. This news comes as a disappointment for the Senators, who had Norris slated to play a key role on their top power-play unit and as a center alongside Vladimir Tarasenko and Drake Batherson.
Losing Norris at the start of the season is undoubtedly a blow for Ottawa. After missing most of last season due to a shoulder injury, the Senators were counting on a fully healthy Norris to contribute significantly in the upcoming 2023-24 season. In the 2021-22 season, Norris scored an impressive 35 goals in 66 games, earning him a lucrative seven-year contract worth $7.95 million per season.
With Shane Pinto still unsigned, the Senators now face the possibility of starting the season without two of their top three centers on the depth chart. This puts added pressure on the team to find suitable replacements and adjust their lineup accordingly.
The exact reason for Norris’ absence from the lineup remains unclear. The Senators initially stated that Norris was healthy and ready to participate in training camp and the regular season. However, his placement in a non-contact jersey raised questions about his condition. General manager Pierre Dorion downplayed the issue, describing it as a “very minor” concern. But as time went on, it became evident that Norris was not ready for game action.
Coach Smith expressed surprise at how things unfolded, stating that the coaching staff had anticipated Norris participating in practice, getting some game time during exhibition matches, and being ready for the start of the regular season. Unfortunately, this did not happen as planned.
Last season, Norris suffered a shoulder injury in October and attempted to return after undergoing rehab. However, he only played three games in January before opting for surgery and sitting out the remainder of the season. Both Norris and the organization are keen to avoid a repeat of that situation, so they are taking a cautious approach with his recovery. While Norris continues to practice with the team and participate in drills, he has not yet received medical clearance to return to game action.
The Senators had initially expected Norris to play in at least some exhibition games to regain his form and confidence. However, with his absence from preseason games, his status moving forward remains uncertain.
The absence of Norris opens up an opportunity for Shane Pinto, who is currently the team’s last remaining unsigned restricted free agent. It is likely that the Senators will place Norris on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) when they submit their roster to the league. This move would free up Norris’ salary ($7.95 million) from the team’s roster, providing them with the necessary flexibility to sign Pinto.
Pinto’s presence in the lineup is crucial for the Senators, especially with Norris sidelined. As a rookie last season, Pinto scored 20 goals and would be a suitable replacement as the team’s No. 2 center. However, it is important to note that Norris must remain on LTIR for either 10 games or 24 calendar days. After this period, the Senators would need to make salary adjustments to fit Norris back into the lineup.
For now, placing Norris on LTIR would delay the team’s salary-cap decisions and allow them to sign Pinto to a contract that satisfies both parties.
In conclusion, the Ottawa Senators are facing a setback as they prepare to start the regular season without Josh Norris in their lineup. Losing Norris is a significant blow for the team, as they had high expectations for his performance this season. However, this opens up an opportunity for Shane Pinto to step up and fill the void. The Senators will likely place Norris on long-term injured reserve to free up salary space and sign Pinto. The team will need to adjust their lineup and make the necessary salary adjustments once Norris is ready to return.