Other than those connections, the Sabres represent a completely new experience for Norris – and an unexpected one at that. The 24-year-old said he had “no idea” he would be traded by Ottawa, where he spent the first six seasons of his career and played alongside his childhood friend in forward Brady Tkachuk. But it’s an experience he’s embracing.

The Buffalo Sabres made more than just the expected sell-off of expiring contracts on NHL Trade Deadline day, moving out one of their core group in center Dylan Cozens in a deal with the Ottawa Senators.