Norris signs eight-year, $63.6 million contract with Senators
Norris #Norris
Josh Norris signed an eight-year, $63.6 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $7.95 million.
The 23-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, had NHL career highs in goals (35), assists (20) and points (55) in 66 games last season.
“We’re very pleased to come to a long-term agreement with Josh,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. “He’s a versatile forward who continues to mature into an exceptional NHL player. His scoring prowess has already shown to be a considerable asset for us and one that will help us reach the next level. His dedication and the pride he takes in his physical conditioning will serve as a great example for our next wave of young players.”
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Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the first round (No. 19) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Norris has 90 points (52 goals, 38 assists) in 125 regular-season games. He remains with a young core that includes forwards Brady Tkachuk, 22, Tim Stutzle, 20, and Drake Batherson, 24, and defenseman Thomas Chabot, 25.
The Senators have added to that core this offseason acquiring forward Alex DeBrincat in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 7 and goalie Cam Talbot in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on Monday. Forward Claude Giroux signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract Wednesday, one that Dorion told NHL.com was the “cherry on top” for Ottawa.
The Senators (33-42-7) have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for five straight seasons, last qualifying in 2017 when they lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, 3-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime.
“I’ve been cooped up in our offices the past few days since the (2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft on July 7-8), but just by what I hear from what people are telling me, I think people are pretty excited internally here,” Dorion said Wednesday. “The coaching staff is pretty excited, management is pretty excited, I can even tell you the scouting staff, both pro and amateur, are pretty excited here about the direction we’re going here. More importantly, I think our players are pretty excited.”