CALGARY, AB – Western Hockey League graduates Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Mike Green of the Washington Capitals are among the three finalists for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Top Defenseman for 2008-09.
The National Hockey League announced on Thursday the three finalists for the Norris Trophy with Chara, a former Prince George Cougar, and Green, a former Saskatoon Blade, joining reigning Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings.
Chara played one season in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars in 1996-97, scoring three goals and 22 points in 49 regular-season games, and adding a goal and eight points in 15 post-season contests. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the 3rd round, 56th overall, at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
Green spent four full seasons in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades, accumulating 37 goals and 172 points in 236 career regular-season games. He was the Capitals’ 1st round pick, 29th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Chara's supporters have a strong argument that the captain is the acknowledged leader and best player on his team. He logs the most ice time per game, 26:04, more than Green and Lidstrom, sixth in the league and tops on his team.
He has a strong plus-23 rating, a gaudy number that is second to Dennis Wideman among the Bruins' defensemen, but trails Green and Lidstrom.
Chara had 19 goals, tops among Bruins' defensemen and fourth-best among NHL defenders, and 31 assists, again second to Wideman among Boston defensemen, and 26th among NHL defensemen. Chara's 50 points was tied for 12th among NHL defenseman and tied for tops with Wideman on the Bruins defense and sixth on the team.
Chara's 11 power-play goals led all Bruins and he had three game-winning goals. His 216 shots was second on his team behind Phil Kessel's 232. Chara scored on 8.8 percent of his shots.
It's on the defensive side where Chara excels over Green and Lidstrom. His 169 hits ranked 17th among NHL defensemen and his 123 blocked shots ranked 51st. He also had 28 takeaways.
Chara often dominates the game with his size, strength and skills and he's been good for a long time. He was the runner-up for the Norris in 2004. At 6-foot-9, he is the tallest player and fifth-heaviest at 255 pounds. The son of an Olympic wrestler, Chara is also most likely the strongest player in the League.
Like Lidstrom, Chara is extremely well positioned due to his experience and anticipation. It's rare to see him have to hustle to get into position, unless he's returning from an offensive foray. Because of his size and stick skills, he's used on power play either at the point or as a forward in front of the net.
Chara played an important defensive role earlier in his career on a talent-laden Ottawa Senators defense. There, he supported team leadership. After signing with Boston and being named captain, Chara seized control of the dressing room and dominates it with his size, personality and work ethic. Their success is a reflection of his leadership. The Bruins led the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference throughout the season.
The fastest and most agile skater of the three -- we hesitate to say the best skater because of Lidstrom's great skating -- Green had an outstanding year offensively while leading his team to the Southeast Division crown and a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference. He led NHL defensemen with 31 goals and 73 points, tied for 28th among NHL skaters. His 42 assists ranked seventh among NHL defensemen and 38th in the NHL.
In his fourth NHL season, the 29th overall pick of the 2004 Entry Draft has made great progression getting in sync with his team. Green had negative plus-minus numbers in his first two seasons, progressed to plus-6 last season and was plus-24 this season, tied for fifth among NHL defensemen and 17th in the NHL.
Green was tremendous on the Washington power play, scoring 18 of his 31 goals in man-advantage situations. That ranked second to Alexander Ovechkin on the Capitals, tops among NHL defensemen and fourth among all players. He also had four game-winning goals, tied for third among NHL defensemen with Lidstrom and seven others.
On the defensive side, Green had 86 hits, 110 blocked shots and 49 takeaways. He was well ahead of Lidstrom and Chara in that last category.
Because of Green's great skating skills, offensive instincts and good judgment, coach Bruce Boudreau has given him the green light to join the rush. It's not unusual to find Green carrying the puck or being a passing option on odd-man rushes. He uses his speed to get back to his position in transition. There haven't been too many defenders in NHL history better at that than Green. |
