For hockey fans, NHL trade deadline day can feel like a Bizarro version of Christmas morning—you're thrilled to get that new toy, but at the same time, you're forced to part with an old favourite.

A move like this was almost inevitable as the Sens venture forward in their hopes of being bona fide contenders.

When the Ottawa Senators on Friday dealt center Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres, they didn't just trade away one of winger Brady Tkachuk's longtime teammates. They traded away one of his best friends.