In a positive update on his recovery from ankle surgery, the Winnipeg Jets organization announced they have activated defenseman Ville Heinola off injured reserve and have reassigned him to the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint. Heinola has been shelved since September 20th after undergoing a procedure to remove an infection from his previously fractured ankle.
The 2024-25 NHL season was expected to be big for the former 20th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. Thanks to a few departures this past offseason, Heinola was thought to have a consistent role on the Jets’ blue line this season. Heinola hasn’t suited up for Winnipeg since January 19th, 2023 because of his ankle fracture and subsequent surgery a few months ago.
He’s spent much of the last three seasons playing for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and has performed quite well. He’s scored 19 goals and 90 points in 130 games for the Moose since the start of the 2021-22 season with an additional one goal and eight points in 11 postseason contests.
The conditioning stint will allow Heinola to spend a maximum of two weeks with AHL Manitoba while still collecting his NHL salary. Once the conditioning loan has run its course it will be interesting to see how the Jets incorporate Heinola into the lineup.
He should have a guaranteed spot in the bottom pairing next to Colin Miller as an objective upgrade over Haydn Fleury. Winnipeg may even choose to move Dylan Samberg down a pair allowing Heinola minutes next to fellow puck-moving blue liner Neal Pionk.
In all likelihood, Winnipeg will slowplay Heinola back into the NHL especially considering the team’s average defensive play despite the impressive start. The Jets have allowed the 15th most shots against of all the teams in the league and are sitting 24th in Expected Goals Against according to Hockey Reference. Winnipeg’s fourth-best GA/G average to start the campaign is primarily because of the stellar play of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck which may give the team the confidence to give more responsibility to Heinola out of the gate.