Sept. 1st … and, all over Ukraine, children are making their way to school immaculately dressed, girls with their hair tied in tresses and decorated with white ribbons, boys smart in their new suits and shiny shoes, all carrying bright bouquets of summer flowers or boxes of chocolates: gifts of beauty and sweetness for their teachers.

Flowers will take his normal place as a starter. He had a trying offseason, having been held out of all practices after having shoulder surgery. He’s been a consistent participant at training camp but still has had ...