Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson, Shea Weber nominated for Norris Trophy

Nashville Predators' Shea Weber (6) smiles as he watches teammates play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, March 25, 2012. Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson and Weber have been nominated for the Norris Trophy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nam Y. Huh

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson and Shea Weber have been nominated for the Norris Trophy.

The award goes "to the defence player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position."

Boston captain Chara led all defencemen and tied for third in the NHL with a 33-plus rating.

He also had a career-high 52 points (12 goals, 40 assists) to rank fourth among defencemen, and led the Bruins with eight power-play goals and average ice time per game (25:00).

Chara previously captured the Norris in 2009 and has been nominated four times in the past five seasons.

Karlsson enjoyed a breakout season with the Ottawa Senators, leading all defencemen in scoring with 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists) and shots (261).

The 21-year-old is also the youngest defenceman to score as many as 78 points in a season since Paul Coffey's 96 points with Edmonton in 1982-83.

Weber tied a career-high and led all defencemen with 10 power-play goals for Nashville while posting a team-leading and career-best 21-plus rating.

The Predators captain also had 19 goals and 30 assists, tying Karlsson for first place in goals.

Weber finished second to Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom in voting for the award last year.