Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Before Josh Norris was acquired from the Ottawa Senators back in March, he had torn his oblique muscle. While he was able to play with it and felt OK, it kept getting worse once he joined the Buffalo Sabres.
In three games with the Sabres, Norris scored a goal and added an assist, but the injury continued to get worse.
"It was a torn oblique, but I’m feeling good now," said Norris on Saturday. "I probably came back a little early originally back in February, and it really didn’t get better."
Norris says he tore it in early February, and it just flared up again. Many injuries can be played through, but this was different.
“I think if you play with that, especially at this stage of the season, then you could really mess your summer training up. I didn’t think it was worth that, especially given my history the last couple of years not being able to train properly (shoulder surgery)," Norris acknowledged. "So I thought it was important this summer was a healthy one, and one where I don’t have to worry about any injuries.
"It’s a big summer for me. I’m excited to just be healthy and be able to train and not have to worry about anything."
It’s hard getting to know your new teammates when you’re not part of the group on a consistent basis. Norris says one of his new teammates, though, helped him quite a bit.
"I moved in with Ryan McLeod, so that was great," he said. "He offered to take me in right away, so it was nice to get out of the hotel. That’s not the funnest place to be for a whole month, so I’ve had a lot of dinners with guys and spending time away from the rink."
Norris hasn’t been here long, but he knows how toxic this situation has become in this town, not making the playoffs for an NHL record 14 years.
"The core guys and the guys that have been here for a long time are fed up with losing. I know the city is too and the fans," Norris said. "At the end of the day, internally, we want to change this and we will."
Sabres defenseman Owen Power says he got good news on his injured knee, as he will not need surgery, but it will still need around two months of rehab.
As for defenseman Bo Byram, he is going to be a restricted free agent this summer. When asked if Buffalo was a place he could see himself signing long-term, he says it is.
"I’ve been lucky enough to come in and get a really good opportunity, and play important and meaningful minutes, and I’ve really enjoyed that," said Byram on Saturday. "I feel like I’ve taken some strides in my game, so for sure. We have a great crew of guys, and it’s tough when things don’t work out, in terms of success for the team. But we’ll regroup, and I’ll talk to my camp, talk to Kevyn, and we’ll figure out what the next step is. I’m excited for that process. Kevyn’s great to work with and very communicative of what he wants, and what he thinks is best for myself and also the team."
Byram still has two years before he can become an unrestricted free agent.