Jets reassign former first-round pick Ville Heinola to Manitoba

After getting a long look at the NHL level over the past few weeks, the Winnipeg Jets have opted to send defenseman Ville Heinola back down to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

Heinola’s played in eight NHL games this season, an auspicious number considering the 10-game"entry-level slide" rule that can apply to young prospects on entry-level deals. This isn’t a contractual move, though, as the Jets have already slid the beginning of Heinola’s entry-level deal twice, meaning the clause no longer applies.

After being drafted 20th overall in 2019, Heinola immediately signed his entry-level deal with the team. He’d played in 13 NHL games prior to this season, notching a goal and four assists.

This season, he’d notched two points in another eight games, but averaged under 14 minutes a game and saw limited usage. At this point in time, the Jets have decided they trust Logan Stanley more in an NHL role, opting to send Heinola back to the Moose. There, he has 16 points in 25 games this year, continuing to develop his all-around game.