Also.

The Sens have miss managed 3 defensive assets...in Tyler Klevin, JBD and Lassi Thompson. They should have seen WAY more playing time in the DJ Smith coaching era when the fans knew they'd be losers, we were sold on rebuild expectations...that's when you play the kids and get them some experience. Smith played veterans. The kid's confidence was shot. Kleven appears to have turned a corner, Lassi Thompson took his ball and went home and JBD has been healthy for 2 weeks and still can't get a sniff because the coach is obsessed with Hamonic.

You'll like JBD. He'll be ok.
- Octavarium

These guys were all average in the AHL. I don’t think there is a ton of mismanagement at the NHL level. They were what they were. DJ Smith wasn’t benching the next Drew Doughty. He was benching guys that could hardly excel in a league below the NHL. Sometimes prospects don’t pan out. Move on and focus on the next group of prospects.

Norris is the better Center, better scorer, better defensive player.

If Norris stays heathy, Sabres win this deal 10x over.

Sens obviously have concerns with his heath I think more than the contract. We could all acknowledge a healthy Norris is arguably our best all around center..and easily our best shooter.

I hope for Staios’ sake they did their research on Cozens because I feel it’s a bit underwhelming.

Also, I hope this doesn’t ruin anything with Brady going forward.

Lots of emotional responses losing Norris and lesser extent JBD. Sens fans don’t like to move on from homegrown talent. Norris wasn’t drafted by the Sens but spent a season in their AHL affiliate prior to his time in the NHL.

His contract was a mistake. How a guy that has never had more than 20 assists in a season got 8 mill per year as a centre, is beyond me. Added that he had serious health concerns, the contract was a ticking timebomb. The Sens are cap strapped. The Norris contract absolutely made sense to move.

Staios saved money and got younger in the process. Admittedly, Cozens is not a sure thing but let’s not pretend Norris was having an all-star year. Dude gets hot 1 game and is invisible for 4 or 5.

This is a good trade for both teams. Both players need to live up to expectations more. This is what NHL trades should be.

Lots of emotional responses losing Norris and lesser extent JBD. Sens fans don’t like to move on from homegrown talent. Norris wasn’t drafted by the Sens but spent a season in their AHL affiliate prior to his time in the NHL.

His contract was a mistake. How a guy that has never had more than 20 assists in a season got 8 mill per year as a centre, is beyond me. Added that he had serious health concerns, the contract was a ticking timebomb. The Sens are cap strapped. The Norris contract absolutely made sense to move.

Staios saved money and got younger in the process. Admittedly, Cozens is not a sure thing but let’s not pretend Norris was having an all-star year. Dude gets hot 1 game and is invisible for 4 or 5.

This is a good trade for both teams. Both players need to live up to expectations more. This is what NHL trades should be.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree a move had to be made. We can’t keep holding our breath every time Norris hits the ice or takes a faceoff.

I’m just hoping this doesn’t have collateral effects to Brady. He was extremely emotional with the news.

Lots of emotional responses losing Norris and lesser extent JBD. Sens fans don’t like to move on from homegrown talent. Norris wasn’t drafted by the Sens but spent a season in their AHL affiliate prior to his time in the NHL.

His contract was a mistake. How a guy that has never had more than 20 assists in a season got 8 mill per year as a centre, is beyond me. Added that he had serious health concerns, the contract was a ticking timebomb. The Sens are cap strapped. The Norris contract absolutely made sense to move.

Staios saved money and got younger in the process. Admittedly, Cozens is not a sure thing but let’s not pretend Norris was having an all-star year. Dude gets hot 1 game and is invisible for 4 or 5.

This is a good trade for both teams. Both players need to live up to expectations more. This is what NHL trades should be.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Never thought of Norris as an elite centre or tough match up for other teams. I really like having the option of mixing and matching with Stutzle, Pinto, Cozens, Giroux and Grieg all able to play the centre position.

Ya.
A couple of you have touched on this.
We ottawa fans love these players. For some of us it's like they're our kids. It was tough seeing an emotional Brady today. I hope it lights a fire under all of them. This is BUSINESS. My seats are going up 6$ next year. They went up 10$ last year. Parking is 21 mystifying dollars now.....

Get busy winning or yer gettin traded.

I agree a move had to be made. We can’t keep holding our breath every time Norris hits the ice or takes a faceoff.

I’m just hoping this doesn’t have collateral effects to Brady. He was extremely emotional with the news.
- Trilla

I kind of wish the organization didn’t let Brady talk to the media so soon after but I guess the reaction of fans would have been similar either way.

Moving Norris is the first ‘core’ move this group has seen. Hopefully it serves a bit of a wakeup call. Lots of chatter last year that this team was too comfortable. A move like this creates uncomfortablity. Stretches a new muscle.

I think it will be fine but I am surprised it happened now and not in the summer. Expectations are still playoffs or bust. The group will need to turn the page in a hurry.

He has just continued to spiral downward over the last 2 years. At this point, he really doesn't do anything well. That fight that he lost to Hathaway did something to him because he has been a shadow of his former self since. I hope he figures it out.
- Slump Buster

One of my cousins, a doctor in the USA, lived in Buffalo. I went there many times growing up. In many ways feels like your in Canada. Respectfully, why the heck do players no succeed there? I look at Ryan O'Rielly, Jack Eichel - both leaving to win cups shortly after. I'm not saying Cozens is coming here to lift the cup in the next 30 months but can't you see him doing much better outside that market?

Again, nothing against Buffalo, I'm just thinking of when Kyle Turris left Arizona and had great years here, although it was only about 4 years as top 2C

I think Josh Norris is an outstanding 2-way center that can score 30 goals every 82 game season (easily on a playmaking team). Having said that, I don't think Norris will play 82 games again in the NHL. I'd be happy as a Sabres fan if he plays 70+ games. Injuries, especially with that shoulder, don't give me much optimism. He has an absolute beauty one timer and is very dangerous wrister as well

OTT lands F Zeterlund (17G 19A-36P) and a 4th and Tristen Robins
for Ostapchuck Gregor and OTT 2025 2nd

I kind of wish the organization didn’t let Brady talk to the media so soon after but I guess the reaction of fans would have been similar either way.

Moving Norris is the first ‘core’ move this group has seen. Hopefully it serves a bit of a wakeup call. Lots of chatter last year that this team was too comfortable. A move like this creates uncomfortablity. Stretches a new muscle.

I think it will be fine but I am surprised it happened now and not in the summer. Expectations are still playoffs or bust. The group will need to turn the page in a hurry.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

He’s the captain, so he has to step to the mic. Had he not, there’d probably be a lot of questions and speculations.

I agree, everyone got their pay and this is the price you pay when you don’t meet expectations. Let’s hope this jolts the team positively. Seems like Cozens and Batherson have a connection…so this could end up creating something special.

Fabian Zetterlund, holy sh*t !!!

Fabian Zetterlund, holy sh*t !!!
- AlfieisKing

the return is why its holy poop tbh, wow

Fabian Zetterlund, holy sh*t !!!
- AlfieisKing

What's the word on him? And is he a ufa?

What's the word on him? And is he a ufa?
- GrimmdaGoalie

25 YO, RFA, 220 LBS, 5'11", 44 points last year (24g 20A) 36 P so far this year (17G 19A)

What's the word on him? And is he a ufa?
- GrimmdaGoalie

He is really good at winning puck battles, TOUGH TO PLAY against, and a rare Right shot left winger. I think he has the ability to play similar to Peter Schaefer but I'm not a scout lol. He finished 3rd scoring for the Sharks last year after Granlund and Eklund, and played with Celebrini this year, scoring 17 goals on a BAD sharks team. I think he easily can get 22-25g a season and round out to be a strong 2-way piece for Sens.

My only concern for Sens (still) is the ability for goals. Norris was 2nd (20) in goals behind Brady. After Stutzle, Gaudette is 4th (16) with Batherson and has significantly slowed down, as I expected. Sens should've traded him, he was not going to maintain what he was doing! He has 0 goals in last 16 games. He has 16 goals in his first 44 games (30 goal pace wasn't going to last). Zetterlund can provide key goals, but biggest thing now is chemistry!

25 YO, RFA, 220 LBS, 5'11", 44 points last year (24g 20A) 36 P so far this year (17G 19A)
- Mithos

I predict his impact may be more immediate than Dylan Cozens - expectation might play a role.

I predict his impact may be more immediate than Dylan Cozens - expectation might play a role.
- AlfieisKing

depends on IF Cozens gets the out of Buf bump, how the locker rooms deals with Norris departure, especially Brady.

Even before he started to suck, he was already being talked about as being more suited for the wing because he doesn't appear to have the skills to play in his own end.
- Slump Buster

Hands of stone. ZERO confidence. Pucker up if he’s on the backcheck.

One of my cousins, a doctor in the USA, lived in Buffalo. I went there many times growing up. In many ways feels like your in Canada. Respectfully, why the heck do players no succeed there? I look at Ryan O'Rielly, Jack Eichel - both leaving to win cups shortly after. I'm not saying Cozens is coming here to lift the cup in the next 30 months but can't you see him doing much better outside that market?

Again, nothing against Buffalo, I'm just thinking of when Kyle Turris left Arizona and had great years here, although it was only about 4 years as top 2C

I think Josh Norris is an outstanding 2-way center that can score 30 goals every 82 game season (easily on a playmaking team). Having said that, I don't think Norris will play 82 games again in the NHL. I'd be happy as a Sabres fan if he plays 70+ games. Injuries, especially with that shoulder, don't give me much optimism. He has an absolute beauty one timer and is very dangerous wrister as well
- AlfieisKing

ROR, Eichel and Reinhart were >>> players than Norris or Cozens. They smelled what had been cooking too long and knew they had to get out before wasting more seasons in Buffalo. The fish rots from the head down. Buffalo has ZERO organizational structure and direction. Pegula needs to hire some actual hockey people and an actual NHL scouting Dept. He’s a fanboy that always goes on the cheap with his hockey team.

Assist Leaders Past 3 Seasons in NHL (Born 2001 or after)

1. Tim Stutzle - 147
2. Jack Hughes - 146
3. Lucas Raymond - 110
4. Matthew Boldy - 104
5. Mortiz Seider - 101
6. Jake Sanderson - 92
7. Dylan Cozens - 86
8. Wyatt Johnston - 86
9. Own Power - 83
10. Seth Jarvis - 82

Assist Leaders Past 3 Seasons in NHL (Born 2001 or after)

1. Tim Stutzle - 147
2. Jack Hughes - 146
3. Lucas Raymond - 110
4. Matthew Boldy - 104
5. Mortiz Seider - 101
6. Jake Sanderson - 92
7. Dylan Cozens - 86
8. Wyatt Johnston - 86
9. Own Power - 83
10. Seth Jarvis - 82
- AlfieisKing

Great stat

Assist Leaders Past 3 Seasons in NHL (Born 2001 or after)

1. Tim Stutzle - 147
2. Jack Hughes - 146
3. Lucas Raymond - 110
4. Matthew Boldy - 104
5. Mortiz Seider - 101
6. Jake Sanderson - 92
7. Dylan Cozens - 86
8. Wyatt Johnston - 86
9. Own Power - 83
10. Seth Jarvis - 82
- AlfieisKing

Norris injured often and Cozens has PTSD from the whooping Hathaway gave him 2 years ago, if Norris can stay healthy OTT losses this 100% and if you add in a pissed off Brady could be disaster for OTT.

Things to remember ....
Cozens has 25 out of 31 points while 5 on 5
Zetterlund has 27 points on 5 on 5.
Clearly, Staios was trying to upgrade Ottawa's 5 on 5 scoring ability. It should also be pointed out that Norris only has 33 points this season (vs Cozens at 31), and Norris had been moved to the 2nd line of the power play. I liked Norris, but he is also a very streaky goal scorer (as goal scorers often are).

We also control both Cozens and Zetterlund for a number of seasons (Zetterlund is an RFA after this season).

I think Gilbert will be a much more useful back up d-man then JBD ever was. JBD just never seemed to find his stride and I'm not even convinced if he can ever become a day to day d-man. Once Klevin is back that defence will be a bit more serviceable. I'm not upset that we ldidn't trade Forsberg. He will be a serviceable goalie for the remainder of the year.

And let's all not sleep on that 2nd round Buffalo draft pick in 2026 which could be a very high 2nd pick. That year (2026) is also the year we probably surrender our 1rst round pick, so having that high 2nd round pick will be helpful.

Things to remember ....
Cozens has 25 out of 31 points while 5 on 5
Zetterlund has 27 points on 5 on 5.
Clearly, Staios was trying to upgrade Ottawa's 5 on 5 scoring ability. It should also be pointed out that Norris only has 33 points this season (vs Cozens at 31), and Norris had been moved to the 2nd line of the power play. I liked Norris, but he is also a very streaky goal scorer (as goal scorers often are).

We also control both Cozens and Zetterlund for a number of seasons (Zetterlund is an RFA after this season).

I think Gilbert will be a much more useful back up d-man then JBD ever was. JBD just never seemed to find his stride and I'm not even convinced if he can ever become a day to day d-man. Once Klevin is back that defence will be a bit more serviceable. I'm not upset that we ldidn't trade Forsberg. He will be a serviceable goalie for the remainder of the year.

And let's all not sleep on that 2nd round Buffalo draft pick in 2026 which could be a very high 2nd pick. That year (2026) is also the year we probably surrender our 1rst round pick, so having that high 2nd round pick will be helpful.
- OttawaB

OTT is surrendering their 2025 1st.

OTT is surrendering their 2025 1st.
- Mithos

.


I think they keep this years first round pick for 2025. It will still probably be top 20 pick even if they make the playoffs.
Next year in 2026, who knows. But I think the hope is that the league changes their mind and gives them back the 1rst round pick. New Jersey worked the same way .... they had 3 years to surrender their top round pick and waited until the 3rd year. For being a good boy, the league rescinded the penalty and only took a 2nd or 3rd round pick as penalty instead. I think Ottawa is hoping history repeats itself again.