Norris has been out since January 27th but declared himself good-to-go for Thursday's game. Norris was back on the Senators' top line with Brady Tkachuk and Zach Sanford in Wednesday's morning skate. He had 18 goals and eight assists (26 points) in 36 games before injuring his shoulder.
Norris is set to miss his fourth straight game on Monday and is expected to be out until late February. Everything is "structurally sound with the shoulder," so it doesn't sound like Norris will be sidelined too long term.
Norris suffered a shoulder injury on a hit from Andrei Svechnikov on Thursday and will miss at least the next three games. This puts the Senators in a tough spot, missing both Norris and Drake Batherson from their top line. Mark Kastelic will make his NHL debut to replace Norris.
The Senators are set to play Saturday in Toronto but it looks like they'll have to do it without their No.1 centre. Tim Stuetzle and Nick Paul will likely play larger roles while Norris is sidelined.
Norris being sent back to the AHL suggests that Anthony Duclair is set to return from injury. Norris had no points but fired nine shots in 17:55 ATOI in his first three NHL games.
The Senators returned Filip Chlapik to Belleville yesterday and bring Norris back to replace him on the NHL roster. The 20-year-old centre did not record a point in his NHL debut (02/22) but is second in the AHL in goals (30) and tied for third in points (58).
Norris was a first-round pick of the Sharks in 2017 and was traded to Ottawa as a part of the Erik Karlsson trade. The 20-year-old had 10 goals and nine assists (19 points) in 17 games at the University of Michigan this season. He also added three goals and three assists in seven games while representing the United States at the Wold Juniors.
