2 weeks Ago By Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola can’t buy a break. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola can’t buy a break. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? 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 of on-ice session. Lundmark is day-to-day, as is forward prospect Henri Nikkanen missed a second day with an illness.
Jets winger Nino Niederreiter was joking about being the elder statesmen on the roster after the departure of D-men Brenden Dillon in free agency when asked a question about how he sees his role evolving this season. “I guess I’m the oldest guy on the team, which seems a little strange and weird,” said Niederreiter, who turned 32 on Sept. 8.
“What I’ve got to know over the years, helping out the younger guys, if I see a guy going through a slump, kind of pick him up and be the positive input in the locker room. I think that’s something I feel I should do this year.” Versatile forward Vladislav Namestnikov will turn 32 in November.
Niederreiter was at his entertaining best on Friday after scoring a deflection goal, bringing his hockey stick to his left ear – as if he was listening to what his instrument would be telling him after finding the back of the net. Might Niederreiter break that celebration out in a game situation later this season? “Hopefully, let’s see what happens,” said Niederreiter. “I just want to help the team as much as I can, and hopefully can score a few goals this year.
But overall, we have to win somehow, and that’s the most important thing.” Niederreiter was involved in a charity game this summer in Switzerland in what was played at the highest accessible point in Europe. “That was an unbelievable experience.
I mean, they call it Top of Europe, which was amazing,” said Niederreiter. “They flew us all up with the helicopters, and it was what’s a great set up, let’s put it that way.” Niederreiter scored a pair of goals in the contest, including one that opened the scoring.
One difference from last season for Niederreiter is that his contract situation is settled, after signing a three-year extension on Dec. 4 that includes an AAV of $4 million. The security won’t change his mentality though.
“When you don’t have a contract, you obviously worry about it. You don’t know what’s next. You don’t know what to do.
Same time, you want to produce, you want to make sure you put up as many points as you can and you want to help the team. But whenever you’re in a contract year, it’s always on your mind. It’s not something you can just put aside because it has to do with the future.
Obviously lucky, got a chance to sign it last year, an early extension, which is very fortunate. Coming into camp this year, you just focus on being yourself.” Jets 2023 first-rounder Colby Barlow is set to make his preseason debut on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild.
Barlow was involved in training camp last fall, but didn’t get the full experience as he got sick early and never got into any exhibition action. “I’m definitely taking my vitamins. Just trying to stay healthy,” said Barlow, who got into three American Hockey League games with the Manitoba Moose at the end of last season.
“Not getting sick, taking care of my body, making sure nothing’s tweaking, nothing’s feeling bad. So I could take this all in and give it all I have every single day.” There’s been plenty of speculation about the Ontario Hockey League future for Barlow, should the forward prospect eventually be returned to junior by the Jets.
Barlow chose not to report to OHL training camp earlier this month, preferring to continue his offseason plan with Gary Roberts before heading to Winnipeg. “As a family, and myself, we just thought it would be beneficial to me to keep working out, keep skating with the guys in the program. It’s nothing to do with Owen Sound, they’ve given me the world, they’ve been absolutely awesome.
I just thought, going into this camp I want to be focused.” Several observers have speculated Barlow could be on the move to the Oshawa Generals to join Anaheim Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke. Does Barlow expect to eventually be traded by the Attack? “Just kind of see how it goes,” said Barlow.
“I’m just worried about being here. Taking it day by day at Jets camp.” Barlow built a strong relationship with former Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty during development camp in 2023, so it was natural for him to be asked about the trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for fellow forward Brayden Yager.
“Yeah, it’s kind of not really any of my business. I wish the best for him,” said Barlow. “Great we got Yags, I know Yags pretty well.
We’re good buddies. I wish both players well as we move forward.” ken.
[email protected] X: @WiebesWorld mike.
[email protected] X: @mikemcintyrewpg Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man.
, Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism.
Thank you for your support. Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer.
Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism.
If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Advertisement Advertisement.
