Senators players emotional as team trades away Josh Norris, acquires Dylan Cozens

It was an emotional day in the Ottawa Senators locker room, as the team learned that core player Josh Norris was traded to the Buffalo Sabres.

“(It) Sucks, losing a guy like that,” said Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. “Obviously everybody knows how much he means to me.”

Norris had spent his entire professional career with the Ottawa Senators, which spanned seven seasons. He was a key offensive player for the team, leading the Sens with 35 goals in the 2021-22 season. During his time with the team, he also struggled to stay in the lineup, battling multiple shoulder injuries.

• Ottawa Senators trade Norris, Bernard-Docker to Buffalo

Ottawa also traded away defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker in the deal.

Tkachuk was emotional and visibly upset speaking with media about the trade.

“You know, losing not just a player, but the person, really tough,” said Tkachuk.

“He was the number one guy that I would go to with anything, not just playing, but just anything outside of hockey. We were always there for one another.”

Coming to the Senators from Buffalo in the trade is 24-year-old forward Dylan Cozens.

Cozens won gold with Canada at the 2020 World Junior Championships, playing alongside Senator Drake Batherson.

“I think he’ll fit in great,” Batherson told media Friday.

“He’s an amazing guy. Easy to get along with. I clicked with him pretty much the first night I met him, and he said to me, I think if we play on the same team, we’d be best friends.”

“Josh is one of my best friends since our days, in Belleville,” Batherson went on to say, “so really mixed emotions. Sad to see Josh leave, but excited to get Dylan.”

Late on NHL trade deadline day, the Senators also acquired forward Fabian Zetterlund from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Noah Gregor and Zack Ostapchuk.

“It’s unfortunate reality of it being a business,” said Tkachuk. “We’re getting back important pieces that are really going to help us.”