The Ottawa Senators could be on the brink of a significant roster shake-up. According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff Live, the team is internally discussing the possibility of breaking up its young core, with 25-year-old center Josh Norris emerging as a potential trade candidate.
Once viewed as a foundational player for the franchise, Norris has faced setbacks due to recurring injuries, including three shoulder surgeries. While his sophomore season was a breakout year with 35 goals, subsequent injuries have limited him to just 18 goals over the past two seasons. This season, through 21 games, he has tallied eight goals and six assists, but concerns linger about his ability to regain peak form.
Seravalli described the Senators’ situation as nearing “panic mode,” referencing their ongoing struggles and a critical injury to defenseman Artem Zub. “At some point, you start to feel like you’re hitting a wall, trying to break through while doing the same thing repeatedly,” he said. He suggested the Senators might need to make bold moves, even if it means parting with Norris, who carries a $7.95 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season.
Although trading Norris would be a significant move, his injury history and inconsistent performance have made him a more viable trade option compared to other key players. The Senators are reportedly considering this step to address pressing issues on their blue line, with the potential trade clearing cap space to bring in defensive reinforcements.
Core players like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Jake Sanderson remain untouchable as the Senators aim to secure their future. However, moving Norris could mark the first major blockbuster trade of the season across the league.
Potential Trade Destinations
The Senators would likely target a team also seeking a shake-up. Possible trade partners include the New York Rangers or Pittsburgh Penguins, both of whom could be interested in a player like Norris. In return, the Senators might pursue defensemen such as Jacob Trouba from New York or Marcus Pettersson from Pittsburgh, provided an extension is feasible. Even the Philadelphia Flyers could emerge as a trade partner, given their openness to deals and available defensemen circulating in trade rumors.
