It’s like déjà vu for Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola — and never in a great way in any respect.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel delivered the unhealthy information following the completion of Day 2 of coaching camp at Hockey For All Centre when he informed reporters Heinola has an an infection within the ankle he broke final fall and might be sidelined for at the very least per week.
“This isn’t each day. Wee’ll come again on this in a few week or so and see the place he’s at,” Arniel stated. “However it’s slightly extra severe than what we thought. It will get you within the intestine after what occurred final 12 months. ”
Arniel was making reference to Heinola being on the verge of constructing the Jets 12 months in the past, solely to endure a damaged ankle in Winnipeg’s second-last exhibition sport in opposition to Ottawa.
The 23-year-old Finnish blue liner had some swelling across the ankle previous to the beginning of camp, however a crew spokesperson informed reporters the trigger wasn’t decided till blood work outcomes got here again from medical testing on Wednesday.
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Defenceman Simon Lundmark was additionally sidelined for Friday’s afternoon skate after getting hit with a shot on Day 1 and is taken into account each day.
However the bigger concern is for Heinola who should wait to see what the subsequent plan of action might be from the Jets medical workers. “I’m not a health care provider and I don’t play one on TV,” quipped Arniel. “I’ve had nice talks with him (Heinola) over the summer season and he was so enthusiastic about coming again. It’s a setback and these are issues that make you stronger.”
The misfortune for Heinola means some adjusting for the Jets on the blue line as a result of it was anticipated that Winnipeg’s first-round choose within the 2019 NHL Entry Draft would type a 3rd defence pair with veteran Colin Miller.
“Like I stated yesterday, I don’t know the place we’re going to be once we open up in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers for our first sport in October — it’s accidents, it’s play. So proper now everybody will get moved up one notch,” Arniel stated. “It’s theirs to exit and carry out in apply and present that they’ll play. Within the exhibition video games, clearly a few of these D are going to get one other look. It’s theirs to exit and grasp.”
That group would come with the likes of veterans Logan Stanley, Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan in addition to extremely regarded rookie prospect Elias Salomonsson.
And that chance will start with Saturday’s 7 p.m. pre-season opener at Canada Life Centre in opposition to the Minnesota Wild — a sport Arniel confirmed that Heinola was alleged to play in.
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