Jets' Arniel shares Heinola, Stanley and Samberg injury updates

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel shared some important injury updates ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.

On Thursday, Arniel revealed that defenceman Ville Heinola underwent surgery to remove a pin in his ankle, which he had surgically repaired last season. The timeline for the 23-year-old's return is uncertain, but the minimum is four weeks.

"Ville had his surgery, so the timeline for that, we'll wait and see ... hopefully, it's a quick recovery," Arniel told reporters.

On Sept. 20, Arniel told reporters that Heinola had an infection in his ankle, which Heinola fractured in the 2023-24 pre-season that forced him to miss the beginning of that campaign.

The Honkajoki, Finland, native did manage to suit up for 41 games with the AHL's Manitoba Moose last season, and recorded 10 goals and 17 assists as well as two assists in two playoff games.

Arniel added that fellow blueliner Logan Stanley is day-to-day after he "tweaked" something.

"Stan tweaked something there. We're going to get more of a look at him, so he won't be available to us for the next few days," Arniel confirmed.

According to Jets colour analyst Mitchell Clinton, the head coach fears the 26-year-old's status "isn't good."

Stanley missed Wednesday's pre-season game because of the injury. Last season with the Jets, he recorded one goal, an assist and 40 blocked shots in 25 regular season games.

Defenceman Dylan Samberg, 25, didn't skate Thursday for "maintenance" reasons after Wednesday night's 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

"Dylan is more maintenance after last night. He's playing tomorrow, so I just want to make sure that he's good to go, he's not hurt enough that he's going into tomorrow's game not 100 per cent," Arniel said.