The Buffalo Sabres, who acquired center Josh Norris from the Ottawa Senators last year in exchange for forward Dylan Cozens, may be considering moving Norris again before the 2026 NHL trade deadline this Friday. According to Andy Strickland, an NHL insider covering the St. Louis Blues for FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, Norris could be on the trade block as Buffalo looks to make significant roster changes.
Strickland noted,
“Buffalo has some quality prospects and I’m sure teams would be focusing on guys like Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka,”
adding,
“Josh Norris is a guy off of their current roster and a name you hear should they find a trade partner and make a significant move.”
Though Norris has struggled with injuries this season, appearing in only 23 games, he has still produced 20 points, including eight goals and 12 assists for Buffalo. His performance when healthy marks him as a high-risk, high-reward player for any team interested in acquiring him.
Potential Role of Norris in a Trade for Robert Thomas
One of the most discussed possibilities is that Norris could be included in a package to acquire Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres have been strongly linked to Thomas’s services in recent days, and a deal involving Norris, prospects Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen, plus a 2026 first-round pick, has been speculated. This combination would represent substantial value, though St. Louis may weigh Norris’s injury history carefully before agreeing.
Buffalo might prefer to offer Norris over Owen Power, the highly touted defenseman and 2021 NHL Draft’s first overall pick, in such a trade. However, a deal involving Norris doesn’t necessarily have to be with the Blues, as the Sabres could explore other destinations to facilitate a move.
The University of Michigan product carries a $7.95 million salary cap hit through the 2029-30 season. Trading Norris could help Buffalo manage the salary cap if they pursue Thomas separately, whose $8.125 million cap hit extends through 2030-31. Without offloading significant salary, signing Thomas could imperil Buffalo’s chances of re-signing winger Alex Tuch, who is reportedly seeking a contract in the $10.5 million per year range.
Financial and Strategic Considerations Behind Potential Moves
Swapping Norris for Thomas, either within one comprehensive trade or separate deals, would allow Buffalo to maintain flexibility in pursuing Tuch’s contract extension, though it would still present complex financial challenges. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen typically reserves major roster overhauls for the offseason, when there is more time to navigate salary-cap constraints effectively for the next season and beyond.
However, interest in Thomas is intense, including from two Atlantic Division rivals, the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens. Losing out to these teams would be a significant setback, likely prompting Kekalainen to accelerate negotiations and possibly make Norris available to balance the final financial logistics of any trade.
Despite the buzz, the Sabres are more likely to execute smaller moves at the deadline and reserve major trades for a more strategic and deliberate approach over the summer.
Implications of a Josh Norris Trade for the Sabres’ Future
If Buffalo does move Norris, the decision will mark a pivotal moment, signaling their commitment to restructuring the roster around players like Robert Thomas or other key acquisitions. Given Norris’s age and talent, his departure would reflect a calculated gamble on balancing health risks against potential reward and cap considerations.
The outcome of these negotiations will influence Buffalo’s competitiveness in 2026-27 and impact their ability to retain important contributors like Alex Tuch in the long term. With the trade deadline fast approaching, all eyes will remain on the Sabres’ front office decisions in the coming days.
Buffalo has some quality prospects and I’m sure teams would be focusing on guys like Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka. Josh Norris is a guy off of their current roster and a name you hear should they find a trade partner and make a significant move.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) March 4, 2026
