Ottawa Senators place forward Josh Norris on long-term injured reserve

It seems to be worse news for a talented centerman than what was hoped for.

On Friday, the Ottawa Senators placed forward Josh Norris on long-term injured reserve.

Head coach Jacques Martin stated on Thursday that the 24-year-old was going to miss “extended time” due to an upper-body injury.

The injury occurred in the Senators’ 4-1 loss on Tuesday night to the Nashville Predators. Norris went to hit the Predators’ Cole Smith, but ended up awkwardly falling into the back of the net, hitting the middle post. He skated off the ice under his own power, but was holding onto his arm.

According to reports, Norris had an MRI on Wednesday. However, it has not been reported whether or not the Oxford, Michigan native hurt the same left shoulder that he had to get surgery on twice, forcing him to sit out 38 games during the 2022-23 season.

Norris had already missed the first three games this year due to an issue with a shoulder, and was held out of the lineup four games in January with another upper-body injury.

With Norris getting placed on LTIR, the Senators are receiving $7.95 million of cap relief, as the team is using $1,379,042 in LTIR to stay below the salary cap, per CapFriendly. Norris is in the second year of an eight-year deal with Ottawa.

In 50 games this season, he has scored 16 goals and 14 assists, with his 30 points placing him tied for sixth on the Sens in scoring. The former San Jose draft pick has scored 70 goals and 53 assists in 183 games.

The Senators (25-29-3) will host the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night. They are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.