Brady Tkachuk emotional after Norris traded to Sabres

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk got emotional after teammate and friend Josh Norris was sent to the Buffalo Sabres in a blockbuster deal ahead of the NHL trade deadline Friday.

"Yeah, it's pretty tough," Tkachuk said, fighting back tears, when asked about the deal. "It sucks. Losing a guy like that. Obviously everyone knows how much he means to me."

Norris was sent to the Sabres on Friday along with defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick.

"Just spent the last little bit with him and trying to take advantage of every minute the rest of the day," Tkachuk said when asked if he had spoken with Norris shortly after the trade broke.

While Tkachuk was visibly upset by losing Norris, he also noted it's a "business" and was excited about the deadline additions.

"We're getting back important pieces that are really going to help us," he said. "It sucks. It's part of it. But with (Cozens) and Gilbert, we're going to welcome them with open arms and I feel bad a little bit that this is the initial reaction. I think they're going to understand why it's a little bit of a whirlwind for me personally. But with that being said, it's all about being a good captain, being a good teammate, and making sure they have everything that they need and have the support right from day one."

Norris and Tkachuk are longtime friends and notably lived together, along with Tim Stutzle, back in 2021.