Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel reveals concerning update on Logan Stanley's injury

With the Manitoba-based team getting ready to embark on the 2024-25 NHL regular season, head coach Scott Arniel addressed a few of the key areas in terms of the injury situation with the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have a handful of players out of their lineup due to injury, including Ville Heinola, Logan Stanley, and Dylan Samberg on the back end. In all, these updates paint a pretty clear picture of where the team currently is as they try to work their way through some tough breaks and build momentum into the season.

Promising young defenseman Ville Heinola is on the mend after ankle surgery to have a pin removed. The procedure was the second after an initial operation when Heinola broke his ankle in the pre-season of 2023-24. There is no word from head coach Arniel on exactly when Heinola might return, but the minimum recovery time would be four weeks. This is a further setback for the 23-year-old, who had missed the start of last season with the same ankle problem.

Despite that, Heinola still played a significant role with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' AHL affiliate this past season. In 41 games, he recorded 10 goals and 17 assists. The Honkajoki, Finland, product had two assists in two playoff games. His timeline for returning to the NHL lineup, however, is still in limbo as he rehabilitates from the surgery.

Added to Heinola's situation, the status of Logan Stanley will be one to monitor going forward for the club. The 26-year-old defenseman has been listed as day-to-day after tweaking an undisclosed injury. As reported by Jets analyst Mitchell Clinton, Arniel seemed to show a bit of concern regarding Stanley's situation, something that has furthered speculation the injury could be worse than initially thought. Stanley sat out of a pre-season game earlier in the week and remains under close watch as the Jets await further developments.

Finally, defenseman Dylan Samberg didn't skate Thursday, taking a "maintenance" day off after the Jets blew away the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 Tuesday. The 25-year-old's issue isn't considered serious, with Arniel suggesting the decision to keep him off the ice was precautionary. Samberg should be back on the ice soon but will be eased along carefully to make sure he's regular-season ready.

All in all, the Jets have a combination of injury question marks with the start of the 2024-25 NHL season drawing near. There is uncertainty about how well Ville Heinola will recover from ankle surgery, Logan Stanley's injury has become more of a concern as camp gets underway, and Dylan Samberg is maintaining his body. While these injuries make for some short-term obstacles, the hope is for quick recoveries so this Jets defensive unit can be fully ready for the grind of an NHL season.