Lidstrom tops Norris finalists

Apr 22, 2008 - 4:32 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom highlighted the list of finalists announced Tuesday for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman.

Also nominated were Boston's Zdeno Chara and Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. The winner will be named June 12 during the NHL's annual awards show.

Nominated for the ninth time in 10 years, the 37-year-old Lidstrom is a five-time winner of the Norris Trophy, including the last two years. He led all defenseman in scoring with 70 points and helped the Red Wings allow a league-best 2.16 goals per game.

The tallest player in the league at 6-9, the 30-year-old Chara improved his plus-minus rating from minus-21 in 2006-07 to plus-14 this season and ranked eighth in the league in hits with 223. He is a Norris finalist for the first time in his career.

Phaneuf, 23, led Calgary defensemen in scoring with a career-high 60 points and also paced the club in ice time (26.25).

Also a first-time Norris finalist, he finished third in the 2006 Calder Trophy voting as the NHL's top rookie behind Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.