The Buffalo Sabres squeaked out a 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators in a crucial Divisional battle on Tuesday night, with points at a premium in the ever-tight Atlantic. However, that wasn’t all that made it an important night in the nation’s capital; it also marked Josh Norris’ first game back in Ottawa since the blockbuster trade from last year’s deadline. Norris was, of course, sent to Buffalo along with Jacob Bernard-Docker in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick. While it was a five-asset deal on paper, the headline was the swap of Norris and Cozens—two highly drafted centers in need of a fresh start. Norris struggled to stay healthy during his time as a Sen, most notably dealing with recurring shoulder issues, while Cozens saw his play and production dip after a career-best 68-point campaign (31 goals, 37 assists) in 2022–23. As a result, both organizations felt a change of scenery was necessary for everyone involved. Unfortunately, Norris has faced similar he
