Look at it this way.
Would you trade an average of 2M x 8 years starting in 2028 (under a cap that should be in excess of 100M) for 8M x 4 years for the next 4 seasons?
Unless they think Norris will just end up LTIRetired, or they have reason to believe that he will get back to form, it's a worthy tradeoff given the Senators current situation.
How well does Norris need to perform to be worth keeping around in your mind?
We can't buy him out this year, so a buyout will need to be done next offseason and cost on average about 2.8 mil a year.
So, if he performs at the level of a 5 mil player, you break even by buying him out and paying 5 mil for a replacement.
Idk, he paced at 26g and 50 pts this year, can we reliably get that for 5 mil? I think it's probably about 50/50.
There's risk both ways, surgery could be successful and we move on from a guy that was seen as a 1b center capable of 40+ goals and maybe 70+ pts playing a well rounded game.
On the other hand, the surgery could be a failure, and you're buying him out in a couple years.
Personally, I think the potential upside is worth being patient for, and the downside is mostly mitigated by the ability to buy him out at a later date.