In the early parts of training camp, it is clear that Josh Norris is expected to have a big role for the Buffalo Sabres this season. He came to Buffalo during the season last year as part of the Dylan Cozens trade with Ottawa, but his season was cut short due to injury, and he only played in three games.
The decision to shut Norris down looks to be a good one, as he is entering training camp healthy after a full offseason and has been on the top line with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson. There was some question about whether the team's first center would be Norris or Jiri Kulich, and the coaching staff has decided Norris will get the first chance to secure that role.
If he is able to solidify that spot for the Sabres offense, it is going to be a huge boost but his presence on the ice should also help a power play unit that struggled last season. The Sabres were 24th in power play percentage at only 18.8% with 43 power play goals and it is an area that they should be focused on improving this season.
Josh Norris might be the key to the Buffalo Sabres improving their power play this season
Norris talked about how he has moved around on the power play unit with the Ottawa Senators in his career, from the wing to the bumper. "When I've been healthy, that's been a strength of mine," Norris said. "Obviously, I had success in my spot on the right side, shooting one-timers and shooting the puck, but played a lot of in the bumper. It was a moving power play, so I'm used to playing other positions on the power play."
However, he also noted that he is effective on the face-off on the power play, which is an area that has improved in the past two seasons for Norris. In his career, Norris has had a face-off percentage on power plays of 52.7% but that total has jumped to over 55% the past two seasons.
The earlier teams can control the puck, the better their chances are to capitalize on the man-advantage. If they can win it right at the start off the face-off, that only helps their chances of getting set up and Norris would certainly help with that if he continues to win at a high rate.
If Josh Norris can stay healthy, he is going to have a big role for the Buffalo Sabres and be one of the key factors on whether this offense is successful or not.