Ville Heinola’s season is in jeopardy due to an ankle infection.
Head coach Scott Arniel recently shared that Heinola had surgery to remove the infection, and they will soon know more about his recovery. Arniel also mentioned Logan Stanley got hurt during a preseason game against the Oilers and needs further testing. According to Ken Wiebe, the Jets are worried Stanley might miss more than just a few days.
This situation could drastically affect Winnipeg’s defense lineup. They were counting on Heinola and Stanley after losing Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon this offseason. Now, Dylan Coghlan and Haydn Fleury might have to step up more than expected. This is challenging for the Jets since their defense has been crucial for their success over the past two years. Their offense ranked low in goals per game but did well defensively, finishing high in goals against per game.
Impact on Team Strategy:
If Coghlan and Fleury need to play significant minutes early on, it may be tough for Winnipeg to maintain their defensive strength . Even with Connor Hellebuyck as goalie, a weak defense could affect his performance too. Fans might feel anxious about how these changes will impact the team’s start this season.
The Jets might have to look at free agents or players on waivers soon to strengthen their blue line before the regular season kicks off.
What do you think? Will the Jets manage these challenges successfully?
