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

The Sabres and Senators exchanged some young roster players when they swapped Dylan Cozens and Josh Norris at the trade deadline.

The Panthers have stuck with Ekblad as their primary power-play quarterback through three games since the trade to

Norris is looking to get past the “initial shock” of being traded, saying goodbye to good friends in Ottawa and having to settle in Buffalo.

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.