<p>The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations">Buffalo Sabres</a> are about to get a much-needed boost to their lineup, as the team announced that center Josh Norris will return for Monday’s game against the <a href="https://jetsnation.ca/">Winnipeg Jets</a>.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Norris is 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 in tonight’s lineup! 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/wSHcC3Zf15">pic.twitter.com/wSHcC3Zf15</a></p>— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1995538421285007435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2025</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Norris, 26, played in Buffalo’s season-opening 4-0 loss to the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">New York Rangers</a>, but has been out ever since with an upper-body injury. He should slot immediately into a top-six center role for the Sabres, perhaps allowing star Tage Thompson to move back to the wing.</p>



<p>Buffalo acquired Norris from the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/ottawa-senators/line-combinations">Ottawa Senators</a> in a multi-player deal at last season’s trade deadline. The Sabres received Norris along with defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker in exchange for forward Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick. </p>



<p>The Sabres have yet to get a good look at their team with Norris in the mix. Following the trade last season, the Oxford, Michigan native played in just three games for Buffalo before suffering a season-ending injury. In those three games, he put up a goal and an assist. In total, Norris had 21 goals and 14 assists for 35 points in 56 games for Ottawa and Buffalo combined last season.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="197"></div>



<p>Norris was drafted 19th overall out of the USHL by the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/san-jose-sharks/line-combinations">San Jose Sharks</a> in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In September of 2018, he was dealt to the Senators as part of the package that was sent in exchange for defenseman Erik Karlsson.</p>



<p>After two seasons playing collegiately for the University of Michigan, Norris debuted professionally in 2019-20, when he put up 31 goals and 30 assists for 61 points in 56 games playing for the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Norris became a full-time NHLer the following season, when he notched 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 56 games for Ottawa. His career-best season came in 2021-22, when he had 35 goals and 20 assists for 55 points in 66 games.</p>


Norris, 26, played in Buffalo's season-opener, but has been out ever since with an upper-body injury.