Josh Norris's triumphant return a positive development for already-rolling Senators

A lot of things have gone right for the Ottawa Senators in the early days of the 2023-24 season but the most important development is the successful return of Josh Norris.

While the Senators were 2-1-0 prior to their 6-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, it would've been tough to claim that their start was a clear sign they were in for a big year.

The Senators lost to a Carolina Hurricanes team they were expected to lose to, bested a Philadelphia Flyers squad in a deep rebuild, and beat a Tampa Bay Lightning team in turmoil. Along the way, Ottawa posted middling 5-on-5 numbers (51.09% shots for, 50.45% expected goals for).

It was a solid start, but on Wednesday the Senators saw something more encouraging than anything from their first three games — the return of a healthy and effective Norris.

The 24-year-old scored twice against Washington after being sidelined since Jan. 21 due to a lingering shoulder injury. Just over 12 minutes into the game, he went to the net on the power play and was rewarded for it...

... and early in the second he ripped a puck past Darcy Kuemper from the slot:

Those two goals matched his total from 2022-23, a season in which he was only able to suit up eight times.

Even if it takes Norris a few games to fully ease in — he played a modest 16:34 on Wednesday — he's capable of changing the dynamic of the Senators' lineup.

Prior to his return, the team lacked proven options behind Tim Stützle up the middle. Now it has a guy who scored 35 goals the last time he played a full NHL season.

Although we've seen the Senators perform with Stützle and Norris both at the top of the lineup, it hasn't happened since the German star broke out and established himself as an elite offensive force.

When Norris was rolling in 2021-22, Stützle was just getting started. Stützle totalled 58 points that season, a far cry from what he produced in 2022-23.

Similarly, Brady Tkachuk experienced his first true offensive breakout during the lost year Norris just experienced. His 83 points and 35 goals in 2022-23 were both career-highs by a significant margin. That foundational duo has reached a new level since Norris was last healthy.

Tkachuk and Stützle — as well as Claude Giroux — weren't supported by a second line anchored by a player as talented as Norris last season. Drake Batherson and Alex DeBrincat provided strong secondary scoring, but the ceiling is significantly higher with Norris centering the second unit.

The Senators ranked 18th in the NHL in goal scoring in 2022-23 despite possessing a dynamite first line. In order to reach the next level as a team, they were always going to need to find more offensive depth.

That's something they worked on in the offseason with the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko, but the DeBrincat deal that netted them Dominík Kubalik undermined that upgrade to some degree. The Senators entered this season relying on internal options to perform better behind their top guns.

Norris is the biggest part of that plan, and with Shane Pinto stuck in salary-cap limbo, his importance is further magnified. One strong game doesn't prove he's all the way back, but it's an encouraging start for the Senators.

Ottawa has never had Norris, Stützle, and Tkachuk performing at their best simultaneously. The Senators are already off to a fine start, and things have a chance to get even better if that trio plays to its potential.