Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara named finalist for Norris Trophy

Zdeno Chara doesn't need an award to gain respect from his peers, fans or teammates, but prudence dictates that being one of the best defensemen in the National Hockey League is recognized through a nomination for the Norris Trophy...

...which has now occurred six times, the latest nomination announced Monday morning by the league as the voting members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association have honored Chara, Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators, naming them finalists for the award that recognizes the "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position".

Friend and foe alike try to warn Brendan Smith not to tangle with Chara

The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 59 times to just 25 different players, making it one of the most respected and coveted of individual awards in the world of sports.

The Boston Bruins lead the league in players being selected for receive the award, Bobby Orr winning eight consecutive times, Ray Bourque five times and Chara once - followed by the Montreal Canadiens with 12 winners, the Detroit Red Wings eight (Niklas Lidstrom with seven) and the Chicago Blackhawks with seven, Keith winning it after the 2009-10 season.

The winner of the trophy will be announced and awarded at the NHL Awards on June 24th in Las Vegas.

Chara leads the class of 2013-14 with his sixth nomination (his third nomination in the past four seasons) and Keith is working on his second - both players taking the trophy home once a piece - while Weber has been honored with his third nomination but has yet to win.

The legend of Zdeno Chara is one of intimidating size leading to fear and loathing amongst the opposition, widely regarded as the most feared and toughest player in the league, a reputation that precedes the man-mountain wherever he goes - earned through 64 NHL fights and most of them of the one-punch knockout variety.

Still, there are a select few who challenge the huge Slovakian, but that number has dwindled as his reputation grew, to the point that the few who dare get in his face are usually pulled away with urgency by referees and teammates, lest blood and teeth be lost.

“He’s so hard to play against, he’s a tremendous leader. Obviously he does that by example, but he’s the toughest guy to play against in the league, bar none." said former teammate and frequent opponent Brian Rolston after his retirement in 2012. "If you were to poll the forwards on every team they would say the same thing and coming in on a nightly basis knowing that you have to face him.  It’s a tough task.”

Nashville's Weber leads all finalists in average time on ice and goals scored, Keith in assists and total points, but Chara leads the way with power play time on ice, power play goals and game winners, as well as plus/minus rating, which should translate to his second Norris Trophy and the 15th overall for the Bruins' organization.