There's a pretty distinct difference between Chabot getting some stuff cleaned up in the offseason and Norris having a major surgery with a 6 month recovery timeline.
Is how Norris is being handled different than other players coming off 6 month recoveries? There's nothing particularly unusual about players in similar circumstances being eased in, first they get cleared for practice, then cleared for contact, then after a few practices they introduce them back into games.
People are understandably worried about the potential that he has another setback and will never be healthy, but following a schedule to slowly bring him back into the fold is not evidence anything went wrong, or that there has been a setback.
I disagree here. Many times we will see guys push up their recovery timeline and come back early and play well, especially top players. This is something you often see during the season or players that want to be back for playoffs.
The timeline for the surgery Norris got is 4 to 6 months recovery, not 6 months. As of today we are at 6 month and 2 weeks and Norris was skating in a yellow jersey a week ago.
This is not being careful, this is Norris 3rd surgery on his left shoulder in less than 5 years. The team is scared to put him out there, he's scared to be out there and get injured again. The next shoulder injury is the end of his career. So, yes, they are being careful, but there is nothing usual about the Norris situation. 24 year old player had 4 shoulder surgeries and is making 8M$ a year. I think there is plenty of reason to be worried about his shoulder not holding up.
I would not be surprised at all if he's on LTIR for the rest of his contract before the end of the season, that's where were at with him.
There is little to be optimstic about with Norris. We're approaching cut you losses territory.
