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.

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has been under a ton of pressure in his fifth season on the job. The team is again in last place in the Eastern Conference, fans have been chanting for his job and a handful of his key players were the subject of trade rumors throughout the season.