Ville Heinola - NHL News & Rumors

Heinola | 26.02.24 | Winnipeg Jets Ville Heinola on the opportunity with the Jets, mental hurdles during the season, and more.

2 DAYS AGO • NHL.COM

Up from AHL Heinola was recalled from AHL Manitoba on Tuesday.

Impact Heinola is one of several players to be called up from Manitoba, as the Jets are set to resume skating in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Heinola has produced three goals and 21 points over 44 games with the Moose in 2025-26. He hasn't made an appearance with the Jets since last season.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Three more helpers in win Heinola posted three assists in AHL Manitoba's 6-1 win over Iowa on Friday.

Impact Heinola has 12 points on the year, including six helpers over his last four games. While he's improving with the Moose, the Jets are about to get Haydn Fleury (concussion) back, so there's no obvious spot for Heinola to receive a call-up.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Notches two helpers in AHL win Heinola posted two assists in AHL Manitoba's 5-0 win over Chicago on Wednesday.

Impact Heinola has done just alright this year in the minors, picking up eight points over 22 appearances. He's also posted a minus-14 rating, which is likely to keep him from being in the mix for a call-up. The Jets' NHL-level blue line is pretty deep as is, and Heinola missed out on it during training camp. At this point, the 2019 first-round pick would likely need a change of scenery to have a chance at carving out an NHL role.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ville Heinola: "I Kind of Wish Someone Would Have Picked Me Up" Frustrated by Winnipeg's deep defence, 2019 first round draft pick Ville Heinola yearns for a fresh start. The talented Finn opens up about...

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Lands on waivers Heinola was placed on waivers by the Jets on Sunday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Impact Heinola made a career-high 18 regular-season appearances for the Jets last year and recorded an assist, 16 blocked shots, eight hits and four PIM while averaging 14:11 of ice time. He'll presumably head to AHL Manitoba if he clears waivers, but it seems possible that he'll be called up by Winnipeg at some point this year if the Jets need additional depth.

OCTOBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sees rare playing time Heinola went minus-1 with a hit, a blocked shot and one shot on goal in 17:52 of ice time in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers.

Impact Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk and Luke Schenn were all out of the lineup, giving Heinola a rare chance to play as the Jets prepare for the postseason. This was Heinola's 18th outing this season -- while that is a career high, he has just one assist with 12 shots on net, 16 blocked shots, eight hits and a plus-6 rating. The 24-year-old has played just twice since the start of February and will likely be back in the press box as a healthy scratch for the majority of the playoffs.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to see much playing time Heinola was scratched for the ninth game in a row in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rangers.

Impact Heinola has one assist over six appearances since the start of January, and he's been scratched 21 times in that span. The Jets made just a couple of depth moves at the trade deadline, but one of those was to bring in Luke Schenn, which gives the team nine healthy defensemen on the roster. It's safe to assume Heinola is at the bottom of the depth, as well as No. 5 out of five left-shot blueliners, so he'll be competing primarily with Haydn Fleury and Logan Stanley for playing time. The Jets apparently don't want to lose Heinola for nothing on waivers, as they've kept him on the roster since he healed from an ankle injury that kept him out until late November. He has just one helper with 11 shots on net, 15 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating across a career-high 17 appearances.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck outside of lineup Heinola was scratched for 10 straight games leading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Impact The Jets are carrying eight defensemen, and Heinola has not been able to pry playing time away from the current third pair of Logan Stanley and Colin Miller. The Jets don't want to lose Heinola on waivers either, so he's stuck in the press box until the team needs him to play. He didn't do much with his opportunities earlier in the campaign, earning one assist, 10 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 16 appearances.

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up helper Heinola logged an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

Impact A rash of injuries recently has allowed Heinola to stick in the lineup. Colin Miller (larynx) was hurt Saturday versus the Red Wings and Josh Morrissey (lower body) exited Tuesday's contest, with Heinola picking up some of the slack in both contests. Heinola's helper Tuesday was his first point in 14 outings to go with nine shots on net, 10 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating. Dylan Samberg (foot) is getting close to a return, but until the Jets get closer to full health on defense, Heinola figures to continue playing bottom-four minutes.

JANUARY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Safe in lineup for now Heinola has played in eight of the Jets' 12 games in December.

Impact The 23-year-old defenseman couldn't get much playing time in the early part of the season, but he's seen an uptick in usage. Heinola has picked up playing time to cover for the absences of Logan Stanley (lower body) and Dylan Samberg (foot). Heinola's playing time is safe for now, but he'll likely see his role reduced once Samberg returns, though the latter doesn't have a firm recovery timeline in place yet.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back from conditioning loan Heinola (ankle) was recalled from his conditioning assignment with AHL Manitoba on Sunday.

Impact Winnipeg moved Dylan Samberg (foot) to injured reserve in a corresponding move. After recovering from his September ankle surgery, Heinola had one assist in two minor-league outings during his conditioning stint. He could make his season debut with the Jets on Monday versus Minnesota due to Samberg's absence.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site relays that Heinola (ankle) will likely join Winnipeg on its road trip in Minnesota on Nov. 25.

Impact Heinola has been on a conditioning stint with AHL Manitoba, but head coach Scott Arniel said the assignment won't last the full two weeks as originally intended. The left-shot blueliner Heinola hasn't made an appearance in the NHL since the 2022-23 campaign, but he could serve as Winnipeg's seventh defenseman once given the all-clear.

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL for conditioning Heinola (ankle) was activated from injured reserve and assigned to AHL Manitoba on Monday for a conditioning assignment.

Impact Heinola will get into his first game action of the 2024-25 season at the minor-league level after recovering from ankle surgery. The 23-year-old rearguard registered 10 goals and 27 points across 41 AHL regular-season appearances in 2023-24. Once Heinola returns to the big club, he could compete for playing time with the Jets. However, earning a spot in the lineup will be difficult because of the team's success in 2024-25.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could be nearing return Heinola (ankle) was on the ice in a regular jersey at Tuesday's morning skate, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site relays.

Impact Heinola has been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in September. The Finnish blueliner resumed skating at the end of October, and he appears to be close to making his 2024-25 debut. The 23-year-old was a first-round pick by Winnipeg in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Once healthy, Heinola will likely have to compete with Logan Stanley and Dylan Coghlan for playing time on the league's best team.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starts skating Although Heinola (ankle) isn't with the Jets in Detroit for Wednesday's road game, he has resumed skating back in Winnipeg, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Impact Heinola isn't expected to be close to returning, but this is a good step on his road to recovery. He underwent ankle surgery in September after he suffered an infection related to a screw from a previous operation. Heinola had an assist in 10 appearances with the Jets in 2022-23. During the 2023-24 campaign, he recorded 10 goals and 27 points across 41 regular-season outings with AHL Manitoba.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve Heinola (ankle) has been designated for injured reserve, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports Monday.

Impact Heinola had ankle surgery in September, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see him land on injured reserve ahead of the upcoming campaign. The 23-year-old blueliner has managed just 35 NHL games in his career, garnering one goal, 10 assists and 49 shots. With Logan Stanley (knee) also on injured reserve, youngster Elias Salomonsson could make the Opening Night roster.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Heinola, who has an ankle infection, underwent surgery, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports Thursday.

Impact Heinola previously underwent ankle surgery last year and his infection is related to a screw from that operation, based on a report from Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday. There's no timetable for Heinola's return. The 23-year-old was originally in the mix for a spot on the Jets' Opening Night roster, but he might instead spend some time in the minors after he recovers.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Battling ankle infection Heinola is dealing with an ankle infection that is far worse than day-to-day, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday.

Impact Heinola had 10 goals and 27 points in 41 regular-season contests with AHL Manitoba in 2023-24. He wasn't expected to make the Opening Night roster to begin with, but this might impact his availability for the start of the AHL season.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pens two-year pact Heinola signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Winnipeg on Monday.

Impact Heinola accumulated 10 goals and 27 points in 41 regular-season appearances with AHL Manitoba in 2023-24. He also had two assists in two playoff outings. Heinola has provided one goal and 10 helpers in 35 career NHL contests. The 23-year-old defenseman will compete for a spot on Winnipeg's bottom pairing at training camp.

JULY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for minors Heinola (ankle) has been medically cleared and will be reassigned to AHL Manitoba on Thursday, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.

Impact Heinola will suit up for the first time this season with the Moose but will have to wait a while to make his NHL season debut. Over the last four seasons, the 22-year-old blueliner has logged just 25 NHL contests. As such, fantasy players probably shouldn't be banking on him featuring prominently for the Jets this year.

JANUARY 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Making California trip Heinola (ankle) will join the Jets for their upcoming three-game road trip, John Lu of TSN reports Tuesday.

Impact Heinola was originally expected to not return prior to the team's trip but may have taken an additional step in his recovery. Still, the 22-year-old blueliner's presence on the trip doesn't guarantee he will get into the lineup. Whenever Heinola is cleared to play, he will need to be activated off injured reserve, which will likely mean Declan Chisolm or Logan Stanley is shipped down to the minors.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Return not imminent Heinola (ankle) is expected to miss at least the next five games, John Lu of TSN reports Friday.

Impact Heinola will have to wait until the calendar flips to 2024 to make his season debut after suffering his ankle injury during preseason. It's unclear if the defender suffered a setback in his recovery but he has already passed his initial 8-12 week recovery timeline.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins skating Tuesday Heinola (ankle) was on the ice without gear Tuesday but remains a ways away from returning, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Impact Heinola was given a 2-3 month recovery timeline and is still on track to meet that target according to coach Rick Bowness. Considering the 22-year-old defender has a combined 35 NHL games over the last four seasons, he probably will be headed to the minors once given the all-clear and figures to remain a fringe roster player.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve The Jets placed Heinola (leg) on injured reserve Friday.

Impact The 22-year-old defenseman suffered a serious injury in Thursday's preseason game versus the Senators. Heinola only played in 10 NHL games with the Jets last season, picking up a solitary assist.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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