Bruins' Chara Is Norris Trophy Finalist: Zdeno Chara has been named a Norris Trophy finalist along with Nashville's Shea Weber and Ottawa's Erik Karlsson, the Boston Globe reports. (Updated 04/27/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Zdeno Chara, who won the Norris Trophy in 2009, scored 12 goals and added 40 assists for a career-high 52 points in 79 games this past season. He also recorded a spiffy plus-33 rating, while continuing in his role as one of the NHL's top shut-down defenders. While the big guy is no doubt smarting from Thursday's playoff elimination, from an individual standpoint his 2010-11 season was a resounding success. At 35, he shows no signs of slowing down at this point in his career, especially given the rigorous fitness/conditioning regimen he keeps. (Updated 04/27/2012).
04/12/2012 22:59 Braden Holtby not enough for Capitals
Braden Holtby was outstanding for the Capitals, but he didn't get much help from the players in front of him.
04/11/2012 12:34 Patrice Bergeron might be Boston's most important player
Patrice Bergeron is probably going to have his hands full in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and it seems like he's more than capable of handling the tough assignments.
04/11/2012 10:34 Neutral Zone Wrap: Preparing for playoff pools
If you're in a Fantasy Hockey playoff pool, Evan Berofsky has some advice for you in his latest edition of Neutral Zone Wrap.
04/11/2012 09:40 Playoff Preview: (2) Boston vs. (7) Washington
The Bruins attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup champions starts with an opening round series against the Washington Capitals.
Chara, who recorded 14 goals and 44 points in 81 games, led the NHL with a plus-33 mark, a figure that is most impressive given the fact that he is so often deployed against opponents' top offensive threats. He continued his shutdown ways in the playoffs, compiling a postseason high plus-16 rating. Chara will return to anchor the B's blue line in 2011-12, where he will reprise his role as an ice-time-eating physical force. About the only flaw we can find in his game is that Chara's deliberate windup sometimes prevents his rocket of a shot from being as effective a weapon as it could be. If it gets through a few more times next season, resulting in a handful more points, then Chara could easily move up in the Norris Trophy voting next year. He finished third this past season, as it is. (Updated 10/4/11)
