Just a few assorted Thursday thoughts as the finishing touches are put on what you, the readers, had to say…and as preparations begin for a mini-feature that I hope will be as entertaining as it sounds in my head.

Few things are, of course, but you never know.

- First and foremost, heartfelt condolences to Jose Theodore and his family on their tragic loss – thoughts and prayers of hockey fans everywhere are, I’m sure, with Jose at this sad time.

And one would hope that with the story having been reported already, the media coverage of this will fade away as quickly as possible so they can be left to grieve in peace. Being a celebrity and having to be in the spotlight should have its limits, ones that go with basic human decency, and a tragic time like this is a time for respect and boundaries. It almost feels like having as much information as we do about the situation is prying to some extent, but such is the age we live in.

Anyway…

- The TV schedule for next season came out yesterday and yes, there is a healthy heaping helping of Caps goodness on Versus (…woo). Usually now would be the time to bitch about the Penguins getting one more appearance – but I suppose this year we can let it slide. You know, since they’re…that thing…that we’re not going to mention ever, ever again.

Back to the Caps, though, who will be on everyone’s favorite hard-to-find, low budget, bull-riding, ultimate-fighting, bass-fishing channel a grand total of seven times, including two of the first three games of the season. Add that in to the 17 times the Caps will appear on TV sets up in Canada, plus up to 5 games on NBC, and we’ve got some serious network presence.

Among the matchups that seem to be attracting the attention of all four US and Canadian national networks (or “national” in the case of Versus) are the Caps taking on the Flyers, Bruins and of course the Penguins. Not bad choices, really. CC gives her seal of approval.

- Is it really football time again already? Didn’t we just finish with all of that nonsense?

- With the start of national team training camps all around the world, there is understandably a lot of talk right now about Vancouver 2010. But honestly, I just can’t get excited about the Olympics just yet; that’s coming from someone who eats, sleeps and breathes the Olympics once they come around.

I’ll get there, particularly knowing that a handful of Caps will probably be at the Games. Right now, though? NHL, baby. That’s where it’s at. And we’re tantalizingly close, with players trickling back into town every day and training camp kicking off in just over three weeks.

Three…weeks. Can you feel it? Can you feel the excitement??

- Out of habit from my days up north, I have a special place in my heart for five of the six Canadian teams so I tend to keep tabs on them – and I just can’t be the only one who feels like the Ottawa Senators have done way too much off the ice and not nearly enough on it this offseason.

Granted, the whole Heatley saga tends to cast a bit of a shadow on anything they did try to do. But let’s be honest, this is a team just a few years removed from a berth in the Finals that has since fallen to pieces and they’ve spent the better part of the summer bitching at each other, bitching at the media, bitching at crazy wannabe owners, etc.

Are there new players to play alongside guys like Alfredsson and Spezza? New management to freshen things up? Nah, not really. Kovalev’s in, I suppose. But hey, at least Heatley will be breaking his silence tomorrow. I’m sure whatever he has to say will be riveting. Maybe he should have said it three months ago.

- D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Beautification Day is without question a great cause (and you can find out more about it here), and we’re all thrilled that Boudreau and Pothier will be taking part in it. Still, you know it’s a slow news day in the hockey world when something like that shows up on NHL.com.

Although it’s somewhat understandable since I’m amazed I’ve come up with this many things to prattle on about on this lovely Thursday evening.

Quick programming note – be sure to tune in tomorrow for questionnaire responses from the guys over at Four Habs Fans (put the kiddies to bed for that one, folks, they tend to work a little R-rated) and…oh, yeah, from you!

Yes, even you three naughty people who sent in your responses after the deadline. I swear sometimes I’m so kind and generous it hurts.