The Buffalo Sabres 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 Winnipeg Jets.

Norris, 26, played in Buffalo’s season-opening 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers, 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.

Buffalo acquired Norris from the Ottawa Senators 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.

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.

Norris was drafted 19th overall out of the USHL by the San Jose Sharks 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.

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.