The Buffalo Sabers posted a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night in a crucial divisional battle, with points riding high in the always-tight Atlantic.
However, that wasn’t the only thing that made it an important night in the nation’s capital; it was also Josh Norris’ first game in Ottawa since last year’s blockbuster deadline trade.
Norris, of course, was sent to Buffalo along with Jacob Bernard-Docker in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in 2026. While it was a five-asset deal on paper, the headline was the trade between Norris and Cozens – two well-rounded centers in need of a fresh start.
Norris struggled to stay healthy during his time as a Senator, particularly due to recurring shoulder issues, while Cozens saw his play and production decline after a career-best 68 points (31 goals, 37 assists) in 2022-23. As a result, both organizations felt that a change of scenery was necessary for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, Norris has dealt with similar health issues in the early stages of his time in Buffalo, while Cozens looked rejuvenated upon arriving in Ottawa. That said, since returning to the lineup, Norris has been a catalyst for the Sabres’ recent success, reigniting the debate over who won the trade, and that continued Tuesday night when the two went head-to-head.
Bundt wrote:
“There is no debate that Josh Norris, when healthy, is a better player than Dylan Cozens. They are both very skilled and the trade has been a win-win for both franchises so far. The key is to keep Norris on the ice,”
Norris, 26, is in year four of the eight-year, $63.6 million extension he signed with the Senators in 2022, while Cozens, 24, is in the third season of the seven-year, $49.7 million deal he signed in Buffalo in 2023.
Assuming health, Josh Norris-Dylan Cozens trades the upside from both sides
If Norris can stay healthy — and that’s a big ask — then both the Sabers and Senators should reap the benefits of this trade now and for years to come.
Cozens has rediscovered the hard-nosed playing style that suits him best, while still offering enough attack to be a legitimate second-line center behind Tim Stutzle. Ottawa needed more reliability, and that’s exactly what they’ve gotten so far from the Whitehorse, Yukon native.
While Norris brings a lot of risk — something Buffalo has already seen firsthand — there’s no denying that when he’s available, he elevates the team’s ceiling with his higher upside. The Sabers have been stuck in purgatory for 15 years, so taking calculated swings on top talent is one way to try to break out of it. Otherwise, they risk being stuck in the dark middle or below.
There will be conversations and debates about this trade for years to come, and ideally, as both franchises continue to develop, we’ll see the Sabers and Senators face off in the postseason from time to time to fuel them further.
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