Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ville Heinola was projected to be a future top-pairing defenseman who could skate like the wind. While his Jets career has been rather disappointing,. However, he did win a gold medal with Team Finland at the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federations (IIHF) World Championship. Now an unrestricted free agent (UFA), does he come back with renewed confidence?
Heinola wins, then loses
Team Finland is now the IIHF World Champions after beating a tough Switzerland team 1-0. Heinola was spectacular in the tournament, scoring three goals and three assists for six points in eight games and was a plus+8. His play was certainly a difference maker and came into play numerous times throughout the six games. This is Team Finland's fifth world championship in the IIHF, previously winning in 1995, 2011, 2019, and 2022. Other Jets in the tournament include Nino Niederreiter, who captured a silver with Switzerland. Mark Scheifele, Gabe Vilardi, and Dylan DeMelo played for Team Canada, which finished fourth, and prospect defenseman Sascha Boumedienne played for Team Sweden.
The 25-year-old from Honkajoki, Finland, now has a decision to make regarding his future. When the 2026 Stanley Cup final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights concludes, Heinola will officially be a 2026 Group B unrestricted free agent (UFA). This means he has spent several years as a pro without getting significant time at the NHL level. Instead of being a restricted free agent (RFA), he ultimately becomes a UFA. This rule protects players still developing from being trapped in the minor leagues, or overseas, without an opportunity at the NHL level. Heinola can sign with any NHL or European team.
Should he re-sign in Winnipeg?
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has a big decision to make and that is to bring Heinola back or not. he still has potential, is still young, and is a puck-moving defenseman with promise. The Jets 20th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft did not have a successful time with Winnipeg the first time around, scoring 12 points on one goal and 11 assists. However, he did find his game at the American Hockey LEague (AHL) level with the Manitoba Moose, affiliate of the Jets. There, he scored 26 goals and 98 assists for 124 points in 198 games, showing he still has game left.
Heinola's problem was not skill or skating. He has plenty of offensive skill and is a tremendous skater. The problem was that there was no room for him to be a full-time player in Winnipeg. Cheveldayoff traded Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline last season. Now, WInnipeg has defenseman Colin Miller and Jacob Bryson, who are both UFAs. With those four defensemen gone, there is now hope for Heinola to return. The depth chart for defensemen in Winnipeg is light so he could return and grab a full-time spot. His last contract was a two-year deal totaling $1.6 million. Cheveldayoff could bring him back on a better deal since the Jets projected cap space is $21.06 million for the 2026-27 season. Should the Jets bring him back?
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