Mid-Week Musings

So it's almost Labor Day weekend and countdown to Capitals Training Camp has officially begun. Hockey Mom will be taking a three-day hiatus to see family down in Blueland (the home of the Atlanta Thrashers of course)before the season's madness begins in earnest next weekend.

In the meantime, just a few mid-week hockey happenings on the team we all know and love:

• In case you haven't seen it, Mike Green has his own new thugalicious Web site: www.greenlife52.com. Lil' Wayne, look out! Tarik is also reporting that Green is going to have his fancy new bachelor pad showcased on an upcoming episode of MTV Cribs.


• Vancouver Canuck's goalie Roberto Luongo just signed a phat deal today for 12-years, $64-million. He's also hoping to be minding the net for Team Canada in his adopted hometown of Vancouver in February.


• The Caps are ready to go back to school as David Steckel, Assistant Coach Dean Evason and everyone's favorite mohawk sporting mascot Slapshot, will be visiting the kids tomorrow at Adelphi Elementary School for the first session of Capitals Hockey School.


• The NHL's head honcho Gary Bettman, who's usually the topic of some colorful coversations among puckheads, will be in the house for the Capitals Convention on September 26. Bettman and deputy commish, Bill Daly, will be answering fans' questions in what will surely be an insightful session on the state of the NHL.