What to do with Norris?

[GASabresIUFAN]

Norris is a talented scoring center who turns 26 in May.  He has played 239 NHL games across 6 NHL seasons (of a possible 492 games).  He has 158 pts (91 goals) in those 239 games with a career high of 35 goals in 21/22.  He has never played more than 66 games in a season, will only play 56 this season and only 3 with the Sabres following the trade at the deadline.  He is a career 52.5% in the FO circle and when healthy is willing to be physical with 135 hits this season.  HIs last 2 seasons in Ottawa, he actually started the majority of his shifts in the D Zone (approx 56 %).  He is also is solid defensively.

He has 5 years left on his current deal at 7.95 per season and his 10 team NTC kicks in after next season.  

His latest injury apparently is not the shoulder that required surgery a few years ago.

The Sabres centers without Norris are McLeod, Thompson (also plays W), Kulich (who can also play wing), Krebs (who can also play wing), Kozak (who can also play wing) and Lafferty (who also can play wing).

In Rochester Östlund is a center with a good two way game who is or is nearly NHL ready.   

The Sabres are also 10-3-1 since Norris got hurt and were 1-2 in his 3 games after the deadline.  

If I were Adams, I'd listen to offers for Norris this summer.  I'm not sure he'll ever play a full season and we have plenty of other shoot first players.  If he can be moved for a top 4 defensive D or a top 6  playmaker, Adams has to consider trading him.  

 

[Drag0nDan]

I don't think he's necessarily off the block from a trade perspective, but i don't think he was brought here to be traded either.  

[DarthEbriate]

  On 4/14/2025 at 7:15 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

In Rochester Östlund is a center with a good two way game who is or is nearly NHL ready.

If I were Adams, I'd listen to offers for Norris this summer.

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Nothing should stop them from trading Norris. But I don't think other GMs are keen to acquire a $7.95M cap hit for a guy with a chronic shoulder injury and who couldn't stay on the ice after the deadline.

That said, when healthy, he's a legitimate 200' 2C -- who can fill-in for a 1C for a week here and there, which is exactly what we wanted Cozens to become.

Östlund needs more strength. Give him another season in Rochester.

[Jorcus]

He should be the center for Tage Thompson. Thompson should have legit line mates that are a threat to score so the defense and the goalie are not shading to him all the time. With Norris and Peterka or even Zucker he has a solid chance of getting a goal scoring title. Pushing Yuri down a line would help him too as he would face 2nd or 3rd line defenders. 

As far as the injuries go you just take your chances. Chychrun just signed for 9 mil per year with many missed games over the years.  A lot of worry about Byram when he came over because of the head hit. He has 80 games this year. 

[dudacek]

I wouldn't think twice about including Norris in any deal but that also applies to any player not named Tage or Rasmus.

I don't put much stock in the team's performance in his absence. As long as Tage remains on the wing he sits on top of our depth chart and there is very little proven behind him.

[tom webster]

  On 4/14/2025 at 7:15 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Norris is a talented scoring center who turns 26 in May.  He has played 239 NHL games across 6 NHL seasons (of a possible 492 games).  He has 158 pts (91 goals) in those 239 games with a career high of 35 goals in 21/22.  He has never played more than 66 games in a season, will only play 56 this season and only 3 with the Sabres following the trade at the deadline.  He is a career 52.5% in the FO circle and when healthy is willing to be physical with 135 hits this season.  HIs last 2 seasons in Ottawa, he actually started the majority of his shifts in the D Zone (approx 56 %).  He is also is solid defensively.

He has 5 years left on his current deal at 7.95 per season and his 10 team NTC kicks in after next season.  

His latest injury apparently is not the shoulder that required surgery a few years ago.

The Sabres centers without Norris are McLeod, Thompson (also plays W), Kulich (who can also play wing), Krebs (who can also play wing), Kozak (who can also play wing) and Lafferty (who also can play wing).

In Rochester Östlund is a center with a good two way game who is or is nearly NHL ready.   

The Sabres are also 10-3-1 since Norris got hurt and were 1-2 in his 3 games after the deadline.  

If I were Adams, I'd listen to offers for Norris this summer.  I'm not sure he'll ever play a full season and we have plenty of other shoot first players.  If he can be moved for a top 4 defensive D or a top 6  playmaker, Adams has to consider trading him.  

 

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They can’t trade Norris when his value is low. The best they can do is not count on him and consider it a bonus if he remains healthy. I know we disagree on how much room they have to play with but they have options to acquire what they need without trading Norris.

[SwampD]

LTIR until the playoffs.

[Mr. Allen]

Does anyone know what injury he currently has? 

[SABRES 0311]

Pencil Norris in for 2C. If performs well above expectations and stays healthy I’d be more open to 1C duties.

[GASabresIUFAN]

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:36 PM, dudacek said:

I wouldn't think twice about including Norris in any deal but that also applies to any player not named Tage or Rasmus.

I don't put much stock in the team's performance in his absence. As long as Tage remains on the wing he sits on top of our depth chart and there is very little proven behind him.

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Norris is actually our 5th most experienced player who can play center.  Tage has 446 NHL games, Lafferty 347, McLeod, 296, Krebs 294 to Norris 239.  Kulich (60) and Kozak (21) are the only newbies. 

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:42 PM, Mr. Allen said:

Does anyone know what injury he currently has? 

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undisclosed mid-body injury that was listed as day to day on March 25th.  

https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/sabres-josh-norris-frustrated-by-injury-buffalo-recalls-prospect/

[Archie Lee]

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:37 PM, tom webster said:

They can’t trade Norris when his value is low. The best they can do is not count on him and consider it a bonus if he remains healthy. I know we disagree on how much room they have to play with but they have options to acquire what they need without trading Norris.

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I realize that with the bolded you are making a practical statement.  I agree with what you have written.  But man, is this what it has come to?  Our GM is on the verge of joining a very dubious group of only 6-7 GM's in the modern history of the league who have been given a 6th season with a team after missing the playoffs in their first 5 seasons, and his big trade acquisition, who has 5 years left at $7.95 million per season, can't be counted on and we should just consider it a bonus if he remains healthy. 

The absurdity of Adams (and Ruff) even being considered for 25-26, cannot be overstated. 

[Brawndo]

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:36 PM, dudacek said:

I wouldn't think twice about including Norris in any deal but that also applies to any player not named Tage or Rasmus.

I don't put much stock in the team's performance in his absence. As long as Tage remains on the wing he sits on top of our depth chart and there is very little proven behind him.

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 Vancouver was interested in Norris, I doubt they move EP40, but how about Tom Willander (signed to an ELC) and a 2026 2nd Round Pick?

 

Also word is that Norris would have been playing if the Sabres had been in legitimate contention. 

 

 

[dudacek]

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:50 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Norris is actually our 5th most experienced player who can play center.  Tage has 446 NHL games, Lafferty 347, McLeod, 296, Krebs 294 to Norris 239.  Kulich (60) and Kozak (21) are the only newbies.

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Wasn't talking experience, was talking proven production in an upper roster role.

The 35-goal season, obviously, but also 91 goals and 158 points compared to 51 and 125 for McLeod and 29 and 93 for Krebs with fewer games played. if you want to throw Lafferty into that equation, he's 40 and 90.

Edited April 14 by dudacek

[tom webster]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:03 PM, Archie Lee said:

I realize that with the bolded you are making a practical statement.  I agree with what you have written.  But man, is this what it has come to?  Our GM is on the verge of joining a very dubious group of only 6-7 GM's in the modern history of the league who have been given a 6th season with a team after missing the playoffs in their first 5 seasons, and his big trade acquisition, who has 5 years left at $7.95 million per season, can't be counted on and we should just consider it a bonus if he remains healthy. 

The absurdity of Adams (and Ruff) even being considered for 25-26, cannot be overstated. 

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I actually think the trade for Norris was a good move. When I said not to count on him, I meant that his presence shouldn’t prevent you from acquiring another top center.

[dudacek]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:27 PM, Brawndo said:

 Vancouver was interested in Norris, I doubt they move EP40, but how about Tom Willander (signed to an ELC) and a 2026 2nd Round Pick?

 

Also word is that Norris would have been playing if the Sabres had been in legitimate contention. 

 

 

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Any idea if, as I suspect, Willander was actually the guy the Sabres were targeting in 2023?

 

Edited April 14 by dudacek

[dudacek]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:28 PM, tom webster said:

I actually think the trade for Norris was a good move. When I said not to count on him, I meant that his presence shouldn’t prevent you from acquiring another top center.

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I have no issues with the concept of Norris as a 2C upgrade to Cozens next season. And agree completely with the above.

Adams might lack the capacity to upgrade the top 6, but the Sabres don't.

[tom webster]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:31 PM, dudacek said:

I have no issues with the concept of Norris as a 2C upgrade to Cozens next season. And agree completely with the above.

Adams might lack the capacity to upgrade the top 6, but the Sabres don't.

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100% agree with second paragraph 

[Brawndo]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:28 PM, dudacek said:

Any idea if, as I suspect, Willander was actually the guy the Sabres were targeting in 2023?

 

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Actually Benson was in their Top Tier of players, it still would have been him over Willander 

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/injuries/oblique-strain

 

Posted for no particular reason 

[dudacek]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:33 PM, Brawndo said:

Actually Benson was in their Top Tier of players, it still would have been him over Willander 

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Right, I mis-phrased that.

Was Willander the guy they had targeted as someone they were looking closely at at 13 prior to Benson dropping?

I got a vibe that year they were high on him.

[7+6=13]

  On 4/14/2025 at 8:35 PM, Jorcus said:

He should be the center for Tage Thompson. Thompson should have legit line mates that are a threat to score so the defense and the goalie are not shading to him all the time. With Norris and Peterka or even Zucker he has a solid chance of getting a goal scoring title. Pushing Yuri down a line would help him too as he would face 2nd or 3rd line defenders. 

As far as the injuries go you just take your chances. Chychrun just signed for 9 mil per year with many missed games over the years.  A lot of worry about Byram when he came over because of the head hit. He has 80 games this year. 

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This actually a very interesting thought.  I appreciate you bringing it up.  

[LGR4GM]

  On 4/14/2025 at 9:27 PM, Brawndo said:

 Vancouver was interested in Norris, I doubt they move EP40, but how about Tom Willander (signed to an ELC) and a 2026 2nd Round Pick?

 

Also word is that Norris would have been playing if the Sabres had been in legitimate contention. 

 

 

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Seems cheap. We lose Norris and get another young defender and pick we won't see in the NHL for 5yrs. I like Tom but he's still a rookie versus a multiple 20g scorer. Feel like I need something else in there. 

[bob_sauve28]

Let him heal up and play him. What else? 

[JohnC]

  On 4/14/2025 at 7:15 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Norris is a talented scoring center who turns 26 in May.  He has played 239 NHL games across 6 NHL seasons (of a possible 492 games).  He has 158 pts (91 goals) in those 239 games with a career high of 35 goals in 21/22.  He has never played more than 66 games in a season, will only play 56 this season and only 3 with the Sabres following the trade at the deadline.  He is a career 52.5% in the FO circle and when healthy is willing to be physical with 135 hits this season.  HIs last 2 seasons in Ottawa, he actually started the majority of his shifts in the D Zone (approx 56 %).  He is also is solid defensively.

He has 5 years left on his current deal at 7.95 per season and his 10 team NTC kicks in after next season.  

His latest injury apparently is not the shoulder that required surgery a few years ago.

The Sabres centers without Norris are McLeod, Thompson (also plays W), Kulich (who can also play wing), Krebs (who can also play wing), Kozak (who can also play wing) and Lafferty (who also can play wing).

In Rochester Östlund is a center with a good two way game who is or is nearly NHL ready.   

The Sabres are also 10-3-1 since Norris got hurt and were 1-2 in his 3 games after the deadline.  

If I were Adams, I'd listen to offers for Norris this summer.  I'm not sure he'll ever play a full season and we have plenty of other shoot first players.  If he can be moved for a top 4 defensive D or a top 6  playmaker, Adams has to consider trading him.  

 

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I'm not questioning Norris's talents when healthy. The problem is that Ottawa traded him primarily because he isn't durable. He comes to Buffalo and then quickly gets hurt or aggravates a prior injury resulting in him being out of the lineup for the rest of the season. So why would any team trade for him for a top 4 blueliner or a top 6 forward? That potential deal is beyond being unlikely. 

The Sabres need him to get fully healthy in the offseason and contribute as either a #1 or #2 C. We need to add another second line forward and another second pairing defenseman who can play with Power. 

I like Kulich a lot and see great potential. But having him at #1 or #2 C at this early stage of his career is putting him in a position that he is not ready for and hurts the team. I wouldn't mind seeing him centering a third line with Quinn and JJP or another forward. 

Our GM had a roster plan that was too accelerated for the youngsters. Instead of putting them in a position to succeed, he put them in a position to struggle. It's not surprising that a middling GM makes a lot of unsound decisions. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

  On 4/15/2025 at 12:21 AM, JohnC said:

So why would any team trade for him for a top 4 blueliner or a top 6 forward? That potential deal is beyond being unlikely. 

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Because teams need scoring and Norris can flat out snipe when he’s on the ice. 

[PerreaultForever]

Given how the current group does seem capable of scoring goals and generating offense (and Benson, Kulich, others should still get even better) Norris is my trade chip for a D man. That's it. If I was GM I would not put my future on an injury prone offensive center when I already have a number of offensive guys in the system. We need D. Big solid D. That's it. Get them. Whatever it takes.