A move like this was almost inevitable as the Sens venture forward in their hopes of being bona fide contenders.

When the Ottawa Senators on Friday dealt center Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres, they didn't just trade away one of winger Brady Tkachuk's longtime teammates. They traded away one of his best friends.

For hockey fans, NHL trade deadline day can feel like a Bizarro version of Christmas morning—you're thrilled to get that new toy, but at the same time, you're forced to part with an old favourite.

The club’s president of hockey operations and general manager made a huge move by sending centre Josh Norris and defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal that brought back forward Dylan Cozens and defenceman Dennis Gilbert in return.

Dylan Cozens was a rumoured trade candidate around the Buffalo Sabres, but not many expected the Ottawa Senators to be the landing spot. In a trade involving some more pieces, the leading players in the deal were Cozens to the Senators and Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Sabres.

The Senators have acquired centre Dylan Cozens, defenceman Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick from the Buffalo Sabres. In return, the Sens are giving up centre Josh Norris and defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker.

The Panthers have stuck with Ekblad as their primary power-play quarterback through three games since the trade to

Norris is looking to get past the “initial shock” of being traded, saying goodbye to good friends in Ottawa and having to settle in Buffalo.