With physicals and fitness testing in the books, Senators GM Steve Staios and his new head coach, Travis Green, met the media on day one of training camp on Wednesday and provided an encouraging health update on their troops.
Ottawa Senators centre Josh Norris is ready to roll.
GM Steve Staios confirmed to the media on Wednesday afternoon that he expected Norris to be out there for the first day of on-ice sessions at training camp on Thursday.
This was excellent news after some people picked up the official training camp roster this week and likely did a double-take when they saw Norris was down at the bottom, listed still on the IR.
Norris is hoping his incessant shoulder injuries are behind him after his second surgery in as many winters. Head coach Travis Green was pleased that Norris has been able to have honest conversations with him about where he's at physically and mentally.
"Obviously we'll continue to have dialogue with him (during camp) to see where he's at," Green said. "There's always bumps and bruises along the way, especially when you're coming off injury. And we'll monitor it daily to assess where he's at and what he needs to get ready for the home opener."
Green also put to rest any debates over whether Norris should flip to the wing or not.
"Yeah, I see him as a center. It's his natural position. He's had success at this level at that position. So I think to start, it's important to put him into that spot. But just in my conversations with him, without knowing him in the past, he seems very confident and excited to get going."
Last week at the club's annual golf tournament, several other players spoke to the media about their return to health. That includes players like Thomas Chabot, Travis Hamonic, and Tim Stutzle. So it's full health and full steam ahead for camp.
"Yeah, everybody's healthy and ready to go," Staios said. "And we'll go over fitness tests and results, but I feel like this group has taken a step in the right direction. I think the emphasis that Travis and the coaching staff have had on fitness and being prepared for the start of the season, I think hopefully will help us not only get off to a good start, but stay healthy."
The one notable absence on Wednesday was Brady Tkachuk, but that had nothing to do with health and everything to do with a major milestone in his life.
"I'd like to congratulate Brady and Emma Tkachuk on their baby boy, Ryder Keith Tkachuk," Staios said. "And so Brady will be coming in tonight. He's not here today, but we'll be joining the group tomorrow."
With enough time and support, Tkachuk will probably manage to get over missing the annual grind of fitness testing today.
So, while it's great to see that Norris and everyone else is back to full health, you'll have to forgive the entire fan base if they suddenly have the compulsion to knock on wood.