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

[bicboi64]

Norris was great on the dot yesterday. DIdn't take as many faceoffs as Giroux or Pinto, but he's our best faceoff guy who's playing C.

Looking forward to him getting his goal scoring going

 

[OD99]

No one is taking him with his contract and injury history. Maybe in 2 years as the cap goes up, if he plays well he would be moveable.

I don't need him to be an 8M player. I am willing to accept that sometimes players come out on the winning end of a contract, and we can't expect every player to be a bargain.

I would trade him to mitigate the risk of another injury, but if we aren't concerned about that, we should keep him. Having 3 top 6 centers is a good problem to have.

If he gets back to pre-injury form, that contract will be fine.

He is good 200 foot player anyway, but if his scoring touch hasn't disappeared he will be a 30+ goal scorer and 65ish point player. That will be just fine.

I think he has potential for more, and his pace previously backs that up.

 

[Samsquanch]

I said this in the GDT, but a real life Josh Norris at 100% health - and the same 2nd line center that we once knew who could score from anywhere and in all situations- that is a game-changing player for the Ottawa Senators. Especially with Pinto and Greig in the lineup.

I say this with all due respect to Josh, but he's like like the bargin-bin version of Auston Matthews.

They are the exact same style of centerman - a goal scoring and two-way focused, gifted and thoroughbred American athlete....Norris is the just slightly smaller and less talented 2nd line (35g-25a) version of Matthews.

If someone can ever convince Norris to be more selfish of a player, like a real killer and less of a nice guy. And if he can be less focused on taking the perfect shot in favor of taking more shots - then he's going to have a career year. He's capable of 40+ goals and as many assists if he realizes his shot is his best playmaking tool.

 

[sena]

If he gets back to pre-injury form, that contract will be fine.

He is good 200 foot player anyway, but if his scoring touch hasn't disappeared he will be a 30+ goal scorer and 65ish point player. That will be just fine.

I think he has potential for more, and his pace previously backs that up.

his pre injury was rookie territory, He will be faster and stronger since then. I hope he stays healthy because the sens need him to earn that money.
the competition will also be weaker with him on the second line vrs his first go around

 

[OD99]

Great night. Skated well, was physical, OK in the dot and blocked at least 1 shot.

I thought he had 2G and 2A but TSN showed only 1 assist for him.

Him and Batherson both showed up tonight.

 

[coladin]

So happy for him. This can be the boost he needs. He is being more physical than usual, and I think that is for his mental fortitude which will allow him to believe that he is ok.

Excited and can be the difference maker again

 

[Ralph Malfredsson]

I said this in the GDT, but a real life Josh Norris at 100% health - and the same 2nd line center that we once knew who could score from anywhere and in all situations- that is a game-changing player for the Ottawa Senators. Especially with Pinto and Greig in the lineup.

I say this with all due respect to Josh, but he's like like the bargin-bin version of Auston Matthews.

They are the exact same style of centerman - a goal scoring and two-way focused, gifted and thoroughbred American athlete....Norris is the just slightly smaller and less talented 2nd line (35g-25a) version of Matthews.

If someone can ever convince Norris to be more selfish of a player, like a real killer and less of a nice guy. And if he can be less focused on taking the perfect shot in favor of taking more shots - then he's going to have a career year. He's capable of 40+ goals and as many assists if he realizes his shot is his best playmaking tool.

great analysis

 

[Tuna99]

He’s been really patient and always been around the puck and when he gets it he makes good plays every time. He looks like a gold glove short stop to me out there, when the puck comes to him he always makes the right play on time.

 

[Stutzlaaaa]

Really hope he plays full year at 100% it's important for him , but even more for the team having another center who is dangerous scorer and see ice well will help a lot Stutzle by being less targeted by opposition.

Other fan or even our fan base and media forget easily that we never had for both of our best centers on the ice for a full season. The only time we did I think it was Stu rookie season.
So this season might be the first ,fingers crossed, where we see the full potential of this roster with Stu being superstar 1C and Norris a really good two way 2C that scores 30G. This is probably the biggest improvement from last few years with the addition of Ulmark.

Add to that Pinto who is poised to have a great season, being an elite 3C and Greig who can play C while adding other elements of the game. Sens can/will be one off the deepest team at C this season even if one of the C get injured the qualities of Pinto/Greig make them great options for top 6 roles

 

[Sensinitis]

Norris has always been our most underrated top 6 forward.

He has a solid two-way game and his goal scoring instincts and shot are elite.

It's hard to get too optimistic because of his injury history but there's a lot fo great signs this year as opposed to last.

 

[bicboi64]

He's winning face offs, can score goals, and is blocking shots.

Slowly but steadily getting to where we need him to be

 

[coladin]

Brent Wallace posted a great battle drill. If that's the way Josh practices, he is going to have a great year

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Brent Wallace posted a great battle drill. If that's the way Josh practices, he is going to have a great year

paired with Chabot... two guys that really need it

 

[SpezDispenser]

Man, we need him to continue to play well - and shake the rust off, which must be thick after missing so much time. The LA game was amazing for him (and us).

 

[sena]

well what does everyone think so far? I noticed his shots are down, I find that concerning,
Blocked shots and hits are way up so thats good.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

well what does everyone think so far? I noticed his shots are down, I find that concerning,
Blocked shots and hits are way up so thats good.

He's money. Could not be happier with what we've seen so far from Josh.

 

[Hale The Villain]

He's been great besides one thing, which is we have yet to see him unleash the one-timer that was a big factor in him scoring 35 goals in 66 games in 2021/22, which is what got him his 7.85M salary.

If his shoulder is buggered to the point where he can't get the same kind of shot off, little chance he lives up to his contract, even if he's done very well so far in 23/24.

 

[Good in Osgoode]

well what does everyone think so far? I noticed his shots are down, I find that concerning,
Blocked shots and hits are way up so thats good.

Yeah, I was at the game last night and his blocked shot on the PK late in the third in an 8-1 game spoke volumes to me about this player.
I still can help but cringe every time goes into the corner with an opposing player, but he stands out to me so far this year, in a good way.

The line with Norris, Bath & G is working very well and if that is indeed our second line, then you have to think it is one of the top 2nd lines in the league right now. Hoping that Pinto is going to be ok because he is the key to the bottom-6 and with him in the line-up, everybody slots so much better, especially if Norris is solidified as a 2C.

Lots of positives right now (might be the afterglow of an 8-1 game) but really like our forward group so far.
Top 2 lines going strong and getting solid contributions from bottom-6 guys like Gaudette, Gregor, Cousins, Amadio & MacEwen.
Liked Ostapchuk's game last night. Solid game.

Let's Go.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

He's been great besides one thing, which is we have yet to see him unleash the one-timer that was a big factor in him scoring 35 goals in 66 games in 2021/22, which is what got him his 7.85M salary.

If his shoulder is buggered to the point where he can't get the same kind of shot off, little chance he lives up to his contract, even if he's done very well so far in 23/24.

4 goals, 8 points in 9 games is pretty solid though, so maybe him setting up for the one timer isn't as necessary. He's earning his 7.85m so far I'd say.

 

[Hale The Villain]

4 goals, 8 points in 9 games is pretty solid though, so maybe him setting up for the one timer isn't as necessary. He's earning his 7.85m so far I'd say.

It's a small sample size.

I don't think he'll be able to produce 80 points over the next 90 games if his ability to one-time a puck better than 95% of the league is no longer there.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

4 goals, 8 points in 9 games is pretty solid though, so maybe him setting up for the one timer isn't as necessary. He's earning his 7.85m so far I'd say.

PP is better now than it was then.. More dimensions .. more movement.. We'll see the 1 timer again but not as often as we did what 3 seasons ago?

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

He is the Zub of the forward core.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

It's a small sample size.

I don't think he'll be able to produce 80 points over the next 90 games if his ability to one-time a puck better than 95% of the league is no longer there.

It is and didn't mean to imply it means much beyond some hope he may not necessarily need that PP set play to produce. He will still be on the PP regardless. I like the look of him this year and if he keeps playing the way he has, I think the points and goals will come. And for 7.85 mil this day and age, as the cap skyrockets, I'll be happy with 70 in 82 type production while being our best defensive center.

I think back to Hoffman and it's a little fuzzy, but year 1 he had like 0 PP time and put up over 20 ES goals forcing his way in. Then he had a season with a ton of PP production and little at ES iirc, but realistically, he found his goals and points on multiple teams, no matter where he was placed for a role.

PP is better now than it was then.. More dimensions .. more movement.. We'll see the 1 timer again but not as often as we did what 3 seasons ago?

It certainly is and I think that's in large part why that look isn't being used. It's not their strategy atm. That may change as the year moves along, but it doesn't seem to me like it's a choice based on his previous injury considering the success they're having, it's just a better look overall.