Heartlanders Suspending Operations, Reimer Ties a Record, Injury Updates

TL;DR

The Iowa Heartlanders are suspending operations for 2026–27, leaving the Minnesota Wild without a primary ECHL affiliate.

Key Points

• 1.Iowa Heartlanders announced suspension of operations for the 2026–27 season, forcing the Minnesota Wild to likely share an ECHL affiliation with another team.
• 2.James Reimer recorded a shutout against Vancouver (16 shots), giving him shutouts with 7 different NHL teams — tying a record held by Sean Burke and Cam Talbot.
• 3.Ovechkin retirement talk: In conversation with TJ Oshie, Ovechkin (turning 41) hinted his body will determine whether he returns next season; he does not want to play until physically broken.
• 4.Injury updates: Sasha Barkov returned to practice in a non-contact jersey for Florida; Reinhardt is out tonight; Penguins' Brassard is week-to-week while Girard and Hayes are day-to-day; Miro Heiskanen has resumed skating and targets a return in 2–3 weeks for Dallas.
• 5.Robert Thomas denies ever being asked to waive his no-trade clause, contradicting trade deadline rumors; Brayden Schenn confirmed he was asked back-to-back years and accepted his trade to the Islanders.
• 6.Anze Kopitar is 3 points away from breaking Marcel Dionne's all-time LA Kings points record and could reach it as soon as tonight.