The Ottawa Senators believe they have their own Auston Matthews

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S. Harper
April 11, 2022 (10:40)

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There's a huge debate going on right now who's the best player in the NHL. The majority of Hockey insiders and fans would say it's still Edmonton Oilers captain Connor Mcdavid. But Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews is definitely up there and Matthews will likely be remembered the greatest player in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise.

However the Ottawa Senators who battle Toronto in the Ontario rivalry, believe they have their own version of Auston Matthews.

The Ottawa Senators took a moment to highlight how well one of their young stars is playing on Sunday, but in doing so they felt the need to include a mention of their inter provincial rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs.

That player is Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris, who has really come into his own this season with the 22 year old centerman recording 31 goals and 15 assists for 46 points in just 55 regular season games. The Senators believe Norris can hold his own with Matthews and could possibly put up Matthews numbers as Norris develops into a premier center in the NHL.

Norris was a key piece in the trade that sent former Ottawa Senators star defenseman Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks, so it is fair to say that the Senators are heavily invested in his success. Looking at the struggles of Erik Karlsson in San Jose, who's game just keeps dropping and Norris hasn't hit his prime yet, they definitely robbed the San Jose Sharks blind in the trade.

Norris has continued his strong season in the month of April, in spite of the fact that the Ottawa Senators are not going to be a playoff team this season again and likely not next season either, Norris already has 6 goals since the start of the month.

This was what the Ottawa Senators were highlighting on Sunday when they made mention of their rivals, the Maple Leafs. Here's what they had to say via their official communications account

"With his sixth goal this month, Ottawa Senators Josh Norris joins Auston Matthews as the only two league skaters to reach the mark since April 1st."

This is fun for hockey despite the teams going in different directions. With the Senators still rebuilding, let's hope some day we can see another great rivalry between these two teams like it usedto be during the Mats Sundin vs Daniel Alfredsson era.

With his sixth goal this month, #Sens Josh Norris joins Auston Matthews as the only two league skaters to reach the mark since April 1.� Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) April 10, 2022