Jack Hughes has had multiple shoulder surgeries. Norris, like Hughes, has a very high ceiling when healthy. It’s for sure a risk, but Cozens just doesn’t have the same kind of ceiling. He’s more a good 2/3 C if he plays his best.
I don't think this is accurate in regards to Norris, and I've seen pretty much every game he's played at the NHL level and actually really like him. I said this all year on the Sens board — he's no doubt $2-2.5M overpaid, but would have been happy to keep him around.
Norris has a solid floor. He's responsible defensively, smart, a good skater, good work ethic, and is a really good teammate. He's never going to hurt your team when he's on the ice.
But he doesn't have that high a ceiling. Not in the same stratosphere as Jack Hughes. He'll never be a #1 center, and if you're counting on him to produce consistent offense, especially at 5v5, you're going to be disappointed. He just doesn't have the vision or playmaking ability to make his linemates better.
He has 13 primary 5v5 assists in his entire career. Career! That's 237 NHL games. Most of which was played in a run and gun, forget about your own zone, system.
This season is pretty much what I'd expect for the rest of his prime. He's currently pacing for 30G and 50P. I don't think he'll be much more than that, offensively. He can be on anyone's top PP, but at 5v5, you better have other centres who can pick up the offensive slack.
Like I said, still a really good player. But not a super high ceiling. He's like a Phil Danault except flip the goals and assists.
