Ron Weber, the Draft Picks and the Stanley Cup

Longtime Caps play-by-play announcer Ron Weber, who is still a regular presence in the Verizon Center press box, has been bestowed the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. The first voice of the Caps, Weber called an outstanding 1,936 consecutive games (often alone) during his 23 years behind the mike.

Although I don't remember much of the Weber era, he certainly always called a mean game and hasn't lost a beat in his observation skills. I've spoken to him a few times and it's a joy to hear his perspective on the current version of the red, white and blue. This is an honor long overdue for a man who very much lives up to his legendary status.

Meanwhile, the Caps took care of some draft-pick housekeeping today by retaining defensemen Dmitri Orlov and Brett Flemming and right wing Garrett Mitchell. Of the three, Orlov has the highest upside.

Orlov played in the KHL last season, putting up four goals, seven points and 49 PIM in 41 games with Novokuznetsk after doing well at last summer's development camp.

"We were really pleased when we drafted him," GM George McPhee said of Orlov, "and we continue to be really pleased in what we have in this player. He is a real good young man, has good character and personality, and he sure has a lot of talent."

The Caps continue to watch as the Chicago Blackhawks inch closer to their first Stanley Cup since 1961. In taking the first two games at home, the Hawks showed they can win a shootout (6-5 in game one) or a low-scoring tilt (2-1 in game two). But one thing is for sure: tomorrow's game three in Philly won't be easy. In fact, Mr. Cleo expects the Flyers to win the game.