The Ottawa Senators will be without Josh Norris for the remainder of the season, with the club announcing Monday that the centre will require shoulder surgery.
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Norris, 23, had only just returned to the lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, after having missed 38 games (dating back to Oct. 22) with the same shoulder issue. He played just three games in his return, scoring against the Jets in Saturday’s 5-1 loss. He finishes the season having played just eight times, collecting two goals and one assist.
The loss of Norris is a massive blow to the struggling Senators, as Norris was the team’s leading goal-scorer last season, with 35 tallies in 66 games, and their third-leading point-producer with 55.
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The 20-23-3 Senators are currently in seventh place in the Atlantic Division, with 11 points and six teams between them and a wild-card playoff spot. The team has lost four of its last five games and has just two wins in its last eight, much to the disappointment of fans who had great expectations after a busy off-season that saw veteran centre Claude Giroux, 41-goal forward Alex DeDrincat, and goalie Cam Talbot all join the team.
The club recalled centre Ridly Greig from Belleville on Monday to compensate for the loss of Norris. Greig has 12 goals and 23 points in 28 AHL games this season. If he plays, the native of Lethbridge, Alta., will be making his NHL debut.
The Senators do not play until Wednesday, when they host the New York Islanders, a game that can be seen on Sportsnet at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
