Player Discussion Josh Norris (C) 6’-1” - Part 3

OD99

Registered User
Oct 13, 2012
5,225
4,432
Norris misses two practices in a row. Any idea about him being not 100% is just baseless speculation and over reactio
He hasn't missed any practices and he is taking contact like any other player.

He just hasn't played in the scrimmages. Those are less controlled, so probably a good idea.

Compared to last year when he wasn't ready for camp, then was in a non-contact sweater, then missed the beginning of the season, he is looking much further ahead and more comfortable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Golden_Jet

coladin

Registered User
Sep 18, 2009
12,003
4,758
He hasn't missed any practices and he is taking contact like any other player.

He just hasn't played in the scrimmages. Those are less controlled, so probably a good idea.

Compared to last year when he wasn't ready for camp, then was in a non-contact sweater, then missed the beginning of the season, he is looking much further ahead and more comfortable.
It would be nice is media could get a simple answer to what may be a LTIR thing that they have to abide by until he is off it. Remember, on camp roster, he was listed as LTIR
 

vandelay

Registered User
Nov 3, 2022
72
72
Pinto is a much better two way player is a great compliment for 2nd line center behind Stutzle. They are different players but I think Pinto helps the team win in more ways. Big right handed two way centers that have some offense are rare and super valuable.
I've seen you post this opinion before and I have to say, although it's a bit of splitting hairs, I would strongly disagree.
Would I take pinto over Norris given what we know; Obviously.
Has pinto played at norris's level for even half if a season? No way.
Full disclosure, I think Norris was our best player in the 21-22 season. Both very smart players and if Norris could ever put the shoulder injuries behind him, I think it's a great debate down the road. It's why this shoulder stuff is so disheartening. Norris was on the cusp of becoming a well above average 1c and may never get back to that. Fingers crossed...
 
Oct 10, 2010
6,343
1,378
Also seen a video of a drill where Yakemchuk ( I think) used his body on Norris and he fell down and whacked his stick on the boards in frustration lol

Norris clearly seems to be taking good contact no doubt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigRig4

Tuna99

Registered User
Sep 26, 2009
15,965
7,917
Good news on Norris, but they should let the fans know the plan ahead of time. They started with “everyone fully healthy” and then “Norris isn’t scrimmaging” so it’s probably a smart move by the team but also clumsy in the way they handled it
 

Xspyrit

DJ Dorion
Jun 29, 2008
31,729
10,620
Montreal, Canada
Pinto is a much better two way player is a great compliment for 2nd line center behind Stutzle. They are different players but I think Pinto helps the team win in more ways. Big right handed two way centers that have some offense are rare and super valuable.

Norris was a 2-way center with elite goal scoring ability, a very rare combo, a Ryan Kesler type combo. His defensive game also was really promising until he ran into his injuries. No idea if he can get back on track offensively and/or defensively at this point but the discussion was about what was already done and if somebody could replace that.

If Pinto can score 30 goals while being excellent defensively, then he could offset what Norris was on track to do. Although we might never really know because we only had an healthy Norris at 21-22 y/o
 
Last edited:

bert

Registered User
Nov 11, 2002
37,576
23,898
Visit site
Norris was a 2-way center with elite goal scoring ability, a very rare combo, a Ryan Kesler type combo. His defensive game also was really promising until he ran into his injuries. No idea if he can get back on track offensively and/or defensively at this point but the discussion was about what was already done and if somebody could replace that.

If Pinto can score 30 goals while being excellent defensively, then he could offset what Norris was on track to do. Although we might never really know because we only had an healthy Norris at 21-22 y/o
Pinto is way more similar to Kesler. He's a similar size and right handed. Norris is pretty one dimensional offensively. Doesn't create as much. Needs a great play making winner on his line. Is smaller as well.
 

GCK

Registered User
Oct 15, 2018
16,657
10,869
Norris was a 2-way center with elite goal scoring ability, a very rare combo, a Ryan Kesler type combo. His defensive game also was really promising until he ran into his injuries. No idea if he can get back on track offensively and/or defensively at this point but the discussion was about what was already done and if somebody could replace that.

If Pinto can score 30 goals while being
excellent defensively, then he could offset what Norris was on track to do. Although we might never really know because we only had an healthy Norris at 21-22 y/o
I’m as big a Norris supporter as anyone but Pinto is really,really good.

If Norris gets back on track, I’d put Stu on the wing in a year or 2 and run Pinto, Norris and Ostapchuk/Greig down the middle. Stu could be Kane or Kuch on the wing.
 

PoutineSp00nZ

Electricity is really just organized lightning.
Jul 21, 2009
20,354
6,023
Ottawa
Norris coming into camp healthy is a good sign.

I won't be convinced that he's ok until he plays close to a full season without blowing out his shoulder . . . but his health makes going into the season exciting.

Having 3 legit centers is a good problem to have. Players have historically seemed to have an easier transition shifting to the wing from center than vice versa so fine with whichever of Pinto or Noris slides over there at some point.

Gotta keep Stutzle in the middle. Having a legit superstar top center is vital to the success of a team and he is the only one of the three that might reach that level.
 

Xspyrit

DJ Dorion
Jun 29, 2008
31,729
10,620
Montreal, Canada
Pinto is way more similar to Kesler. He's a similar size and right handed. Norris is pretty one dimensional offensively. Doesn't create as much. Needs a great play making winner on his line. Is smaller as well.

Norris is not a good playmaker but that isn't Pinto forte as well, both are quite below average in that aspect so don't know why only Norris would be considered "one dimensional"

Norris might be smaller but it's not by much, Pinto is taller but they have similar weight

Josh Norris was/is a great athlete, scored some of the best results at the combine in his draft year. He would be the clear cut #2 Center if he never had shoulder injuries.

I’m as big a Norris supporter as anyone but Pinto is really,really good.

If Norris gets back on track, I’d put Stu on the wing in a year or 2 and run Pinto, Norris and Ostapchuk/Greig down the middle. Stu could be Kane or Kuch on the wing.

Stu on the Wing? Can't see that happening again

We need Norris to get back on track, first it would be awesome to have Stutzle, Norris and Pinto as our Top-9 Centers but Pinto as the 3rd line C would buy us time as his next contracts wouldn't be as costly. Better for cap flexibility. Norris is making 7.95 AAV no matter what
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: OD99 and DrEasy

bert

Registered User
Nov 11, 2002
37,576
23,898
Visit site
Norris is not a good playmaker but that isn't Pinto forte as well, both are quite below average in that aspect so don't know why only Norris would be considered "one dimensional"

Norris might be smaller but it's not by much, Pinto is taller but they have similar weight

Josh Norris was/is a great athlete, scored some of the best results at the combine in his draft year. He would be the clear cut #2 Center if he never had shoulder injuries.



Stu on the Wing? Can't see that happening again

We need Norris to get back on track, first it would be awesome to have Stutzle, Norris and Pinto as our Top-9 Centers but Pinto as the 3rd line C would buy us time as his next contracts wouldn't be as costly. Better for cap flexibility. Norris is making 7.95 AAV no matter what
Pinto and Kesler are 6'3 and right handed. Pinto hangs onto pucks better than Norris and is way better down low. Norris is lighter smaller, shorter and shoots left. Norris had one great year and has since had his shoulder reconstructed twice. He's not the same player. He is a trigger man and the obvious player to move to wing. Especially considering Stutzle is also a lefty. Who they absolutely are not moving to the wing. Need the puck on his stick as much as possible.

Greig is a more natural center than Norris too, he is a great play maker. He is a puck magnet.

Stutzle
Pinto
Greig
Ostapchuk

Those centers in that order. I don't care what Norris makes what matters is the team winning. Whatever puts this team in the best position to win that's what they should do. Loved Pinto with Tkachuk last year and the heavy game they played. I think that's the most natural fit. Lefty righty to pass to one another as well.
 

GCK

Registered User
Oct 15, 2018
16,657
10,869
Pinto and Kesler are 6'3 and right handed. Pinto hangs onto pucks better than Norris and is way better down low. Norris is lighter smaller, shorter and shoots left. Norris had one great year and has since had his shoulder reconstructed twice. He's not the same player. He is a trigger man and the obvious player to move to wing. Especially considering Stutzle is also a lefty. Who they absolutely are not moving to the wing. Need the puck on his stick as much as possible.

Greig is a more natural center than Norris too, he is a great play maker. He is a puck magnet.

Stutzle
Pinto
Greig
Ostapchuk

Those centers in that order. I don't care what Norris makes what matters is the team winning. Whatever puts this team in the best position to win that's what they should do. Loved Pinto with Tkachuk last year and the heavy game they played. I think that's the most natural fit. Lefty righty to pass to one another as well.
Moving Stu to the wing and giving him the green light offensively might be best for him. It’s a nice problem to have
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad