Morning Hits: Couture, Neilsen, Johansson, Kostka, Avs Starters, Toews, Yzerman and Backstrom
  • Kevin Kurz: Sharks Logan Couture: “I’m ready to go. … feels good as it’s felt in three months.”
  • Brian Compton: The Islanders put center Frans Nielsen on the IR retroactive to February 8th.
  • Katie Carrera: The Capitals have confirmed that Marcus Johansson will have to travel back to Sweden to resolve his visa issues. He is expected to be back in Washington before they leave on their road trip.
  • Terry Koshan: The Lightning have claimed defenseman Mike Kostka off waivers from the Blackhawks.
  • Adrian Dater: Avs J.S. Giguere will start in Wednesday’s game against the Kings, with Semyon Varlamov starting against the Coyotes.
  • James Duthie: “At 25, Toews has 2 Cups, 2 Oly gold, 2 WJr gold, 2 WC medals (gold/silver). And his name is close to “Twos” if you write it while drunk.”
  • NHL.com: Steve Yzerman said that he won’t return as Team Canada’s executive director if the NHL/NHLPA decide to go to the 2018 Olympics.
  • Chris Johnston: IIHF head doctor on Nicklas Backstrom’s gold medal game ban: “He is an innocent victim of circumstances.” Chuck Gormley: Bill Daly issued a statement saying he doesn’t foresee Backstrom being banned from NHL action. Matias Strozyk: Sounds like what Backstrom took was legal, but dosage was apparently 40 mg over the limit. Stephen Whyno: The NHLPA has concerns with the IOC’s testing policy. Backstrom’s failed test happened four days before the gold medal game.