Heinola’s surgically repaired ankle infected

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This article was published 20/09/2024 (386 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola can’t buy a break.

The 23-year-old, who suffered a fractured ankle in the final preseason game last year to cost him a spot on the NHL roster, is once again dealing with a serious medical issue. This time, it’s an infection that has developed in the surgically repaired ankle.

Issues came to light earlier this week as a result of blood tests done during player medicals at the start of training camp. Swelling also began to develop as Heinola participated in the first on-ice sessions Thursday.

“Not so good. Got some bad news on him,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said Friday. “This isn’t day-to-day, so we’ll just come back around this in the next week or so. A little bit more serious than what we thought.”

Arniel said the organization doesn’t know yet what the next steps may be. Another surgery could be an option.

“It hits you in the gut, especially after what happened last year,” said Arniel. “It’s a setback, but these are things that make you stronger.”

What does this mean for the battle on the Jets’ blue line?

With Heinola on the shelf and the Jets expecting to start with seven D-men, free agent signings Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan are expected to move up the depth chart as they battle with Logan Stanley for a spot in the opening-night lineup.

“Right now, everybody gets pushed up one notch,” said Arniel. “It’s theirs to go out and grasp.”

Heinola was also under consideration to run the second power play unit, but that job figures to belong to either Neal Pionk or Colin Miller for the the time being.

Jets defence prospect Simon Lundmark missed Friday’s workout after blocking a shot on the first day.