A few days before the start of the regular season in the National Hockey League (NHL), the situation surrounding Ottawa Senators striker Josh Norris is extremely unclear.
After undergoing shoulder surgery last January, Norris only appeared in eight games in 2022-2023. So everything indicated that he would be ready for the start of the club’s training camp. However, he has not taken part in a single game since the start of the preparatory calendar because he was not given the green light by the doctors.
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Sens head coach DJ Smith said he was surprised by the turn of events surrounding his center player.
“Rock [Dorion]“I and everyone involved never expected this,” he said in comments by The Athletic journalist Ian Mendes. We all thought, Josh [Norris] I’d practice a little, take a few hits, and take part in an exhibition game, and that would be good. And that just didn’t happen.”
“We thought he would play the home game against Winnipeg (September 29), but he was not cleared to play,” Smith said. Then we thought he would play against Pittsburgh (October 2). Same thing. At this point I’m simply told he can’t play.
The player normally linked to captain Brady Tkachuk could therefore be out for some time. However, Smith doesn’t know when he’ll be able to add Norris back into his lineup.
“I will wait for instructions [du personnel médical]. We want him to play. I know he wants to play. “It’s frustrating for everyone,” complained the 46-year-old.
The Senators will play their first regular season game against the Hurricanes on Wednesday in Carolina.