Senators center Josh Norris has helped Karlsson deal pay huge dividends

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The Erik Karlsson trade is the gift that keeps on giving to the Ottawa Senators.

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Nearly four years after the Senators shifted the rebuild into high gear by sending Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in a huge deal that brought back center Josh Norris and a first-round draft pick on Sept. 13, 2018, the deal continues to pay dividends and someday may be the best trade in franchise history.

Yes, that honor currently belongs to former Senators general manager Marshall Johnston for dealing Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders in 2000 in a trade that netted the club defenseman Zdeno Chara and center Jason Spezza, but the Karlsson trade by GM Pierre Dorion is looking better Cada dia.

If you’re looking for evidence, then take a look at the highlights of the club’s 4-3 overtime win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night for details. Norris scored twice, including the winner, as the Senators were able to survive blowing a 3-0 lead to pick up the two points to start this five-game homestand.

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If that’s not good enough, then look at the steps center Tim Stuetzle, who was selected with the No. 3 pick the Senators received from the Sharks in that deal, and it’s easy to see he will be a difference-maker down the road.

Suiting up in a 100th career game, Norris tied Yashin for the most goals in franchise history in that stretch. Yashin scored 39 in his first 100 games during the 1993 and 1994 campaigns and Norris tied that mark when he fired the winner by Seattle goalie Chris Driedger with 2:26 left in OT.

Norris has taken his game to another level and is establishing himself as a top center in this league.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Norris said. “My first year I think there were just a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes I rode the highs a little too high and I was too down on myself when I wasn’t playing great.

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“I’ve learned from that and in a short stint this year I think I’ve done a much better job of not being as emotional. I’m just kind of taking things as they come, just doing my best and then you don’t have to worry about it after the game. I’ve grown a lot as a person and I just want to keep on doing that.”

Confidence has helped Norris take his game to another level. He has 22 goals already this season and is on pace for 30 as long as he can stay healthy.

“Last year, he would waver in his confidence and it was to be expected. You go in and (Connor) McDavid takes you apart and you have a tough time getting yourself together,” coach DJ Smith said. “This year, he turns the page way faster.

“If he has a bad game, he knows he has a bad game and he just turns the page. Last year it may have taken him a little bit. When he shoots, it feels like he can score every time.”

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Norris has a great shot and we’ve seen it on display all season. He has good chemistry with captain/close friend Brady Tkachuk. Norris has 22 goals and 32 points in 41 games this season.

By the way, Norris is a restricted free agent this summer and shares the same agent as Tkachuk. That means Dorion will find himself spending a lot of time on the phone with Toronto-based agent Craig Oster of Newport Sports trying to get a deal done.

Norris said the organization has helped him have success.

“I’ve been in a great spot to be honest with you,” Norris said. “I’ve been able to play with Brady in most of my time here and we’ve been super-tight with Drake as well. I’ve played with them a lot and the other guys I’ve been put with it’s just been a great scenario for me.

“They’ve put in great spots since the first day I got here. I’ve had a lot of help along the way.”