Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris is set for a multi-week absence due to a mid-body injury sustained during Saturday's contest against the Minnesota Wild. According to Senators head coach Travis Green, Norris will be sidelined for “a few weeks,” which is particularly concerning for the team as they strive to solidify their playoff position.
The injury occurred during the third period of the Senators' dominant 6-0 victory over the Wild when Norris took a hard hit from Minnesota center Jakub Lauko. This unfortunate development marks another trying moment for the 25-year-old winger, who had recently returned to action after another injury kept him off the ice for part of the season.
Despite his setbacks, Norris had been enjoying what can be characterized as strong form before the injury, accumulating four points across three games since his return. One highlight was his impressive three-point showing against the Washington Capitals just last Thursday, reminding fans of his pivotal role within the team roster.
For the Senators, Norris's absence is especially painful. Currently holding third place in the Atlantic Division, the Senators are amid their Drive to end a seven-year playoff drought. With 19 goals and 31 points under his belt this season, Norris ranks just one goal behind team captain Brady Tkachuk and sixth overall on the team. His ice time reflected his importance as he averaged 18:24 minutes on the ice per game and played key roles on both the power play and penalty kill.
This season, Norris has also embodied physicality, contributing not only on offense but defensively too, with 43 blocks and 126 hits. His performance has been significantly more consistent compared to his injury-riddled previous seasons, where shoulder issues often sidelined him for extensive periods.
Fortunately, the Senators' schedule provides some relief, as they have breaks during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which could mean Norris misses fewer games than typically associated with such injuries. He is expected to miss at least the next four games and there’s speculation about potentially returning by the time they face off against the Montreal Canadiens on February 22, or the Winnipeg Jets on February 26.
With Norris sidelined, the Senators hastily made roster adjustments, recalling winger Cole Reinhardt from AHL Belleville. Ridly Greig is shifting positions to center the line alongside Drake Batherson and newly acquired David Perron as they prepare for their next matchup against the Nashville Predators.
Should Norris require more extensive recovery time, the Senators could place him on injured reserve to free up roster space. Although long-term injured reserve (LTIR) seems excessive at this stage, as it would necessitate missing at least 10 games, the team's management will likely evaluate Norris’s progress closely.
Moving forward, the Senators are determined to maintain their good form without Norris, relying on the depth of their roster to navigate this stretch. Aiming for consistent performances, the remaining players will need to step up to help the franchise secure its playoff position and possibly lead to their first postseason appearance since 2017.