Jets' Heinola out indefinitely with ankle infection

Things are going from bad to worse for Ville Heinola.

The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has an ankle infection and will miss an indefinite period of time.

"Ville, not so good. Got some bad news on him. His ankle, he's got an infection," Jets coach Scott Arniel said Friday. "This isn't day-to-day. We'll come back around this in maybe a week or so, maybe see where he's at. A little bit more serious than what we'd like."

Heinola missed roughly half of the 2023-24 season with a broken ankle. He produced 10 goals and 17 assists in 41 AHL games but did not appear in the NHL.

The 23-year-old was once considered one of the organization's top prospects. He was drafted 20th overall in 2019 and made his NHL debut as an 18-year-old the following season. However, he's only played in 35 career NHL games across four campaigns.

Heinola has a chance to make the Jets out of camp this season if he can return in time for the Oct. 9 opener against the Edmonton Oilers. Winnipeg lost veteran blue-liner Brenden Dillon in free agency and didn't add any defensemen of significance. Working in Heinola's favor is that he'd have to clear waivers to be assigned to the AHL.

Winnipeg's opening-night defense projects to comprise Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg, Colin Miller, and Logan Stanley. Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan will likely compete for the No. 7 defense spot if Heinola remains out.