Ottawa Senators’ Josh Norris may return to lineup this week

Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris seems to be closing in on a return, as Bruce Garrioch reported that he could be back in the Senators lineup as soon as this week.

It’s excellent news for the Sens, as at one point it seemed like Josh Norris would be out for the season. Norris suffered a shoulder injury on October 22nd against the Arizona Coyotes while taking a faceoff, and while he could have repaired it with surgery, he opted not to and went the route of rehabbing it.

The Senators have certainly missed Norris in the lineup. They had started off the season 3-2-0 before his injury, and after winning their next game, they had a seven game losing streak that really sunk their season. They’re currently seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 19-20-3 record, and are eight points out of the second Wild Card spot.

Norris only had one goal, one assist, and two points in his five games before the injury, with the goal coming in that same game against the Coyotes. He’s coming off a career year in 2021-22, where he set career-high totals in goals with 35, assists with 20, and points with 55, all in just 66 games.

Norris will be a big addition back into a top six that was already playing well, even if it hasn’t translated to points. Shane Pinto has really helped that, as along with 10 goals, 7 assists, and 17 points, his line with Alex DeBrincat and Drake Batherson has 53.32% of the expected goals at 5v5. Since he’ll likely move down into the bottom six, it’ll be some much needed improvement to their forward depth.

A 19th overall pick in 2017 by the San Jose Sharks, Norris joined the Senators as part of the return in the Erik Karlsson trade to San Jose. He’s in the first year of an eight-year, $7.95 million contract, which he signed in the offseason after his breakout season.