The Ottawa Senators are shaking their core by buying heart Dylan Cozens, Dylan Cozens, and a 2026 second-round decide from the Buffalo Sabres in trade for Joshua Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Ottawa/Buffalo deal feels like:
Norris/Bernard-Docker
for
Cozens/Gilbert and a 2nd in 2026Large one
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025
Each groups have been seeking to shake up their core in the event that they needed to make the playoffs. This hockey commerce is sensible, each on the floor and concerning the wage cap.
To observe up on the @KevinWeekes tweet these two gamers per @Pammerhockey of @FullPressNHL not on the ice to start apply.
It might make sense once more for the cash to work.
Norris $7.95 AAV for subsequent 3 seasons & strikes earlier than commerce safety kicks in
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) March 7, 2025
Should you do the mathematics and have a look at PuckPedia.com, the Senators are paying Josh Norris $7.95 over the subsequent three seasons. As well as, Norris has modified no-trade safety that kicks in in the course of the 2026-27 season, and they don’t seem to be caught with that deal for a participant with an damage historical past.
In the meantime, Cozens has 4 years plus this 12 months left on his contract at $7.1 million cap hit. So the Senators get cap house by transferring these gamers out, and get a bit harder to play in opposition to.
Cozens wanted a change of surroundings and had been in commerce talks all season. Groups have been calling Buffalo all season for him. Nonetheless, GM Kevyn Adams was not going to maneuver him except he bought gamers in return to assist his workforce now. Norris and Bernad-Docker could possibly be these gamers.
Nonetheless, Senators GM Steve Staios is being aggressive and ensuring his workforce has an opportunity to make the playoffs this season with a high-skilled heart. Although he’s struggling together with his consistency, Travis Inexperienced‘s model may benefit him.
Dylan Cozens, acquired by OTT, is a younger scoring centre who has struggled with consistency. When he’s on, a talented puck service in transition who scores off dirty performs within the slot and cleanly off the push. When he’s not, he struggles to create high quality possibilities and defend. pic.twitter.com/LvCWEdOGEB
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
As well as, Gilbert is on an expiring deal that’s 6’2″, 216 kilos, a left shot defenseman. The Senators are getting harder to play in opposition to.
Norris has a historical past of shoulder points, however he’s an environment friendly objective scorer when he’s on his sport. With the Sabres conserving Jason Zucker, Norris could possibly be the offensive punch the Sabres want. He brings a bodily punch that the Sabres lack.
Josh Norris, acquired by BUF, is a scoring centre with the instruments to be greater than that. Extraordinarily environment friendly shooter, harmful one-T, tough shot. Playmaking not fairly pretty much as good. Nice pace, physicality, defensive stick. Must put all of it collectively to be a two-way scorer. pic.twitter.com/awe3lZnyxH
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
As for Jacob Bernard-Docker, he’s a depth defenseman who will play effectively in Lindy Ruff‘s system.
Jacob Bernard-Docker, acquired by BUF, is a low-event depth defenceman. pic.twitter.com/26FrDAbfVm
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
