Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris underwent shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 regular season, head coach Jacques Martin announced Monday.
Norris had been out of Ottawa’s lineup since he was injured in a Feb. 28 game at Nashville. In the second period, Norris was checked behind the Predators net and fell awkwardly into the back of the net. He skated off favoring his left shoulder and did not return.
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Martin told reporters he is hopeful that Norris will be ready to return for the start of training camp in the fall, but this is the third time the 24-year-old has undergone a surgical procedure on his shoulder.
Norris missed the first part of the 2023-24 regular season, recovering from a shoulder surgery conducted in January, 2023. Norris also had shoulder surgery shortly after participating in the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championships for Team USA.
The 24-year-old has tallied 16 goals and 30 points in 50 games for Ottawa this season. After a 35-goal breakout campaign in 2021-22, the Senators rewarded Norris with an eight-year contract that carries a $7.95 million annual cap hit through the 2029-30 season.
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Norris, however, has only been limited to 58 games since signing that contract due to multiple shoulder injuries.
His absence means that Shane Pinto should remain a permanent fixture in centering one of Ottawa’s top two lines for the remainder of the regular season. Rookie Ridly Greig should also see time at the center ice position, anchoring the club’s third line.
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(Photo: Chris Tanouye / Freestyle Photo / Getty Images)