Good morning, San Jose

Good morning, Silicon Valley, good morning, Insiders, and good morning, 2016-17 NHL season.

It’s always a refreshing time of the year in any sport when you can open the sports section (or, err, click on a standings tab) and see a blank, empty canvas. On equal footing are the Broncos and Browns, the Cubs and Cardinals, the Warriors and Wizards, the Stars and Senators. A journey with unforeseen breaks, accelerations, leaps and stumbles will be traveled, perhaps deftly, maybe ungainly, over the upcoming seven-plus months.

My mom bought me my first Calvin and Hobbes book when I was in seventh grade, and by ninth grade, when Bill Watterson decided to end his wonderful strip, I hadn’t yet matured enough to appreciate how perfect and applicable his final piece of art was. At the time I was upset that it didn’t end with some sort of resolution, or, even better, a climactic Spaceman Spiff battle. Now, some 20 years later, “a day full of possibilities” is a semi-regular part of my lexicon. It fits within the empty slate, “let’s go exploring,” change-of-seasons themes found in Calvin and Hobbes and may through a bit of a stretch be related to the refreshing of a brand new season in team sports.

I’m pretty sure Watterson does not appreciate the unlicensed use of his work, but, hey, I still own like 10 of his books, so let’s call it a wash and move on. (Thank you for everything, Bill.)

The Kings arrived in San Jose shortly before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and deplaned under picture perfect skies. Because of the new plane configuration this year, I’ll be spending a bit more time towards the rear of the aircraft, and not up front near the staff and coaches. Hence, here’s a view of the starboard wing and downtown San Jose, and not of the arena and leafy suburbs.

Enjoy the season opener, Insiders; after a banner raising ceremony, the Kings will have a stiff test in front of them against a familiar rival that tends to open regular seasons with gusto. Two points are on the line, and en route to the final play, and the final moments of this marathon season, LA Kings Insider will keep you informed with all pertinent information and occasional commentary. Enjoy your day, Insiders, and good morning.