Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Norris gave the fans a preview on Saturday of what they might be able to see from their top center. In the 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, Norris had a goal and two assists.
Norris was pretty much healthy when he left after the season ended. That allowed him to train the way he wanted to for the first time in a long time this offseason.
"It’s been probably three years since I’ve had a full summer of training, and not having to really worry about anything major," said Norris earlier this training camp. "It was nice to just go into the summer and have a plan and stick to it."
Norris will likely have Tage Thompson on his wing for a lot of this season. He only played three games with Buffalo after being acquired as part of the Dylan Cozens trade this past March.
Despite missing much of the last part of this past season with the Sabres, Norris did get to watch Thompson play. He’s also played against Thompson a lot while with the Ottawa Senators over the years.
Norris feels he has gotten a better understanding of his hard shooting winger.
"I think you can definitely pick up on stuff just watching him," he said of Thompson. "It’s easier to be on the ice with him, because you can feel where they’re going to be.
"I’ve noticed his tendencies, and where he wants the puck. But it is nice to be out there with him and get some chemistry going. 'Tommer' has had a lot of success, 'Benny" [Zach Benson] looks great too, and I think he’s going to have a great year, because he’s sneaky skilled. I’m excited to keep going with both those guys."
Norris is expected to help a Sabres power play that struggled for over half of last season.
"When I’ve been healthy, that’s been a strength of mine. I’ve always had success in my spot on the right side (faceoff circle), shooting one-timers," Norris said. "But I played a lot last year in the bumper too, some I’m used to playing other positions on the power play. I’ve taken a lot of faceoffs too.
"I think we both had success shooting, so I think you’ve just got to make it work. We’re both good players, and we need to read off each other. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have two guys shoot the puck on the same line, so it’s just more trouble for other teams, especially on the power play."
Most players set personal and team goals, and Norris is no different.
"Personally it’s staying healthy," Norris said. "With the amount of time I’ve missed the last three or four years, I still really feel I have a lot to prove and just to prove it to myself really. That’s the thing I’m most excited about individually.
"And then team wise, I think we have a lot of great pieces. Hockey is a team sport, and everyone has to do their part. But I’m excited to contribute on both sides of the puck."
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins will be mostly the guys you’ll see in the Sabres lineup come opening night against the New York Rangers on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Ruff also said goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will get his first preseason action, but doesn’t know if he’ll use him for two periods or the full game.