NHL Playoffs: Zdeno Chara, Nicklas Lidstrom, & Shea Weber Named Norris Finalists

Boston Bruins defenseman and captain Zdeno Chara was named a finalist for the 2011 Norris Memorial Trophy, an award given annually to the NHL’s best defenseman. 

Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators are the other two finalists. 

This is Chara's third time as a finalist for the award in the past four seasons. He won the award as a Bruin in 2009. 

Chara led the NHL with a 33 plus/minus rating. He scored 14 goals and dished out 30 assists for a total of 44 points. 

He was thankful to be named a finalist, and said the following in an ESPN NHL article updated on April 25. 

"It's always a big honor and I'm very humbled," Chara said. "I'm very thankfully, obviously, especially after how many guys had great seasons." 

Lidstrom had a tremendous season for Detroit, amassing 62 points. He led his team in ice time despite being 40 years old. He has won the award an amazing six times, and has been a finalist 11 times. 

Weber is a finalist for the first time. He totaled 48 points and played all 82 games for the Predators, which allowed him to finish third in most minutes played.

The Norris winner will be announced on June 22 in Las Vegas at the NHL awards ceremony.