What looked like a routine play and a slightly awkward hit from Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom, Ville Heinola, one of the Jets’ top defensive prospects been placed on injured reserve with a fractured ankle.
This injury is untimely as Heinola was on the cusp of achieving an NHL roster spot, not just the seventh defenseman roster spot either. Heinola would’ve likely been on the Jets’ third defensive pairing, but he played his heart out during the preseason, which likely earned him a spot for the 2023-24 season.
Injury Timeline & What This Means For Heinola
The Winnipeg Jets have placed defenseman Ville Heinola on injured reserve with a fractured ankle. The timeline is expected to be anywhere from 8-12 weeks, however, Heinola is expected to miss at least eight weeks.
Rick Bowness commented on Heinola’s injury after the Jets team skated on Friday, October 6th. Bowness mentioned the timeline and that the next steps, including surgery, are still being contemplated. As for right now, Heinola is being sent home to Finland to be around family.
Hopefully Heinola is able to make a quick recovery, given the circumstances, we could potentially find him in the NHL later in the year. However, at this moment, Ville Heinola may not find himself in the NHL for a longer while.
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