April 23th

CHARA, LIDSTROM PHANEUF NAMED NORRIS TROPHY FINALISTS

Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins, Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings and Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames are the three finalists for the Norris Trophy in 2007-08, awarded "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position".

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters announced as finalists.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Chara, who as a member of the Ottawa Senators finished second to New Jersey’s Scott Niedermayer in 2004, ranked third among NHL players in average ice time per game (26:50) and set career highs for goals (17), assists (34) and points (51) in a season. He led the Bruins and ranked eighth in the League with 223 hits and improved his plus-minus rating from -21 in 2006-07 to a team-high +14 this season.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

Lidstrom, who has won the award five times, earned his ninth Norris nomination in the past 10 seasons. The Norris winner 2001 through 2003, plus 2006 and 2007, Lidstrom helped the Red Wings post the NHL's best defensive record in 2007-08 -- a League-low 2.16 goals per game. In 76 games, Lidstrom led all NHL defensemen in scoring with 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists), ranked second in the NHL to teammate Pavel Datsyuk in plus-minus (+40) and was fourth among all players in average ice time per game (26:43).

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames

The 23-year-old Phaneuf, who finished third behind Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in 2006 Calder Trophy voting as the League's top rookie, is a first-time Norris finalist. Along with leading Flames defensemen in scoring with a career-high 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games, Phaneuf led the Flames in average ice time per game (26:25) and hits (194). He also ranked second on the club in shots (263) and third in power-play goals (10).

The Norris Trophy was presented to the National Hockey League in 1953-54 by the four children of the late James Norris, in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.


TROTZ SAYS WITH PREDS

Barry Trotz isn't taking the fall for the Nashville Predators' first-round playoff exit.

The NHL team rewarded the only coach in its 10-year history, signing Trotz to a contract extension on Tuesday.

His assistants, associate Brent Peterson, assistant coach Peter Horachek and goaltending coach Mitch Korn, also extended their deals.

Trotz guided the Predators to the playoffs despite a chaotic season that included the threat of possible relocation, a botched sale, new owners and a long negotiation on their arena.

"Despite much adversity of the past year, the team never used that adversity as an excuse — a tribute to the efforts of the coaching staff," Predators general manager David Poile said in a statement. "I am pleased that this group will remain together in our pursuit of a Stanley Cup for Nashville."

The Predators also endured a poor start after a fire sale shed their roster of several top players.

Nashville finished with a 41-32-9 record and fell in six games to the top-seeded Red Wings in a Western Conference quarter-final.

Just making the playoffs this season was considered a success.

Last year, the team let top scorer Paul Kariya leave for St. Louis as a free agent, traded away goalie Tomas Vokoun along with captain Kimmo Timonen and forward Scott Hartnell. They managed to make up for the lost production, becoming only one of seven teams to
make the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.

Trotz has coached all 738 regular-season games in the Predators' 10 years, going 324-308-106.

Nashville has yet to get past the first round of the post-season or win any road playoff games.

The contract extension keeps Trotz as the second most-tenured coach in the NHL with his current team. The only coach with a longer active tenure with one team is Buffalo's Lindy Ruff, who has been with the Sabres since 1997.


CANUCKS TO CHOOSE MIKE GILLIS AS NEW GM

According to the Canadian Press, Mike Gillis will be introduced as the new general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.

The 49-year-old replaces Dave Nonis, who was fired April 14.

Gillis has spent the past several years an an agent, representing players like Canucks captain Markus Naslund. He also played in the NHL from 1978-84, posting 33 goals and 76 points in 246 games with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins.

Nonis was promoted to GM on May 6, 2004, replacing Brian Burke, and compiled a 130-91-25 record before being relieved of his duties.

After the Canucks set franchise higs for wins (49) and points (105) last season, they lost seven of their final eight games and missed the playoffs by three points this season.


NHL Stanley Cup Semi-Final Playoff Schedule

Eastern Conference

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs (6) Philadelphia Flyers

Thur. April 24, 6pm -- Philadelphia @ Montreal
Sat. April 26, 6pm -- Philadelphia @ Montreal -- Versus
Mon. April 28, 6pm -- Montreal @ Philadelphia -- Versus
Wed. April 30, 6pm -- Montreal @ Philadelphia -- Versus
*Sat. May 3, 6pm -- Philadelphia @ Montreal -- Versus
*Sun. May 4, 6pm -- Montreal @ Philadelphia -- Versus
*Tue. May 6, 6pm -- Philadelphia @ Montreal

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) New York Rangers

Fri. April 25, 6pm -- NYR @ Pittsburgh -- Versus
Sun. April 27, 1pm -- NYR @ Pittsburgh -- NBC
Tue. April 29, 6pm -- Pittsburgh @ NYR -- Versus
Thur. April 29, 6pm -- Pittsburgh @ NYR -- Versus
*Sun. May 4, 1pm -- NYR @ Pittsburgh -- NBC
*Mon. May 5, 6pm -- Pittsburgh @ NYR -- Versus
*Wed. May 7, TBD -- NYR @ Pittsburgh


Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (6) Colorado Avalanche

Thur. April 24, 630pm -- Colorado @ Detroit -- Versus
Sat. April 26, 2pm -- Colorado @ Detroit -- NBC
Tue. April 29, 9pm -- Detroit @ Colorado -- Versus
Thur. May 1, 9pm -- Detroit @ Colorado -- Versus
*Sat. May 3, 12pm -- Colorado @ Detroit -- NBC
*Mon. May 5, 9pm -- Detroit @ Colorado -- Versus
*Wed. May 7, TBD -- Colorado @ Detroit

(2) San Jose vs (5) Dallas Stars

Fri. April 25, 9pm -- Dallas @ San Jose -- Versus
Sun. April 27, 8pm -- Dallas @ San Jose -- Versus
Tue. April 29, 630pm -- San Jose @ Dallas
Wed. April 30, 8pm -- San Jose @ Dallas -- Versus (JIP)
*Fri. May 2, 9pm -- Dallas @ San Jose -- Versus
*Sun. May 4, 8pm -- San Jose @ Dallas -- Versus
*Tue. May 6, 9pm -- Dallas @ San Jose

* = If Necessary
(JIP) = joined in progress